As of Wednesday August 31, 2016, Tropical Depression Nine was picking up on its way through the Gulf Coast heading to Florida, leading into what is most likely going to be a hurricane by the time it hits the west coast part of the sunshine state.

The storm started to strengthen Wednesday morning as The Weather Channel tracked down the raging winds and constant rain fall.

Hurricane to hit Florida Thursday

As winds pick up heading to the Gulf of Mexico, weather advisories predict the tropical storm will turn into a hurricane when it hits Florida on Thursday. Hurricane watches spread along the Florida coast through Panama City Beach to New Port Richey just north of Petersburg and parts of southeast Georgia.

As of Wednesday morning, the storm was just under 400 miles from the coast gaining strength in its path through the ocean. So far, the winds are still at tropical storm level but is expected to pick up along the way.

If the storm strengthens, it will be the first hurricane in the U.S. since 2014’s Hurricane Arthur that hit the outer banks of North Carolina. Should the storm hit as hard as suspected, flooding will threaten the lives of nearby residents.

Florida Declares a State of Emergency

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency as Tropical Depression Nine picks up along the Gulf of Mexico.

“By declaring a state of emergency in advance of this storm, we are ensuring that state, regional and local agencies can work together to meet the needs of our communities,” Scott said in a statement.

The governor declared a state of emergency in 42 different counties, to ensure the safety of local residents as the Weather Channel warns them of life-threatening flooding that can sweep even the driest areas of the sunshine state.

Wednesday’s state of emergency announcement has 8,000 Florida National Guard troops on standby waiting to be deployed if need be. Rainfall has already swarmed Florida ahead of the storm with a possibility of reaching up to 15 inches tonight.

Officials warned businesses along the Florida coast to prepare for the storm by boarding up their windows.

With the increase in wind gusts, it is also possible for tornadoes to hit central Florida late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Hurricane Watch in Hawaii

As Florida prepares for a possible hurricane, Hawaii residents are preparing for two storms. Hurricane Madeline is expected to hit the happiest place in the U.S. late Wednesday while Hurricane Lester is expected to hit Hawaii by Saturday.