MIAMI — Florida's Gulf coast braced today for a hit from Tropical Storm Hermine, which forecasters said could make landfall as a hurricane.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Florida's Big Bend from the Suwannee River to Mexico Beach. And on the East Coast, a tropical storm warning was issued from Marineland, Fla., northward to the South Santee River in South Carolina.

Hermine's maximum sustained winds Thursday morning were near 65 mph. Some strengthening was forecast and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hermine was expected to be a hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida tonight or early Friday.