Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to make landfall in the Florida Keys Tuesday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Although there were fears it might hit with hurricane strength – at last word – it was still a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds well beneath the 74 mph hurricane threshold.

But heavy rains could cause flooding as the storm moves up Florida’s east coast.

A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remains in effect from New Smyrna Beach southward on the Florida east coast. And, a tropical storm warning remains in effect along the Florida coast north of New Smyrna Beach northward to Altamaha Sound, GA.

No mandatory evacuations were ordered – but tourists were asked to leave the low-lying Florida Keys.