Tropical Storm Fred, Tropical Depression Grace Among 3 Storms Raging In Atlantic Basin

Tropical Storm Fred was gaining power Monday as it slammed across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, triggering tropical storm and storm surge warnings across the state’s Panhandle.

Fred was one of three storms swirling in the Atlantic Basin, at least two of which could hit the U.S. coast this week.

Lining up behind Fred were Tropical Storm Grace, which was approaching the Dominican Republic and earthquake-battered Haiti early Monday, and tropical depression eight, which formed late Sunday near Bermuda.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted that storm would strengthen into Tropical Storm Henri sometime Monday, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the island.

Fred, driving sustained winds of 60 mph, was centered about 140 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida, early Monday. The storm was pushing north at about 9 mph and its blasting winds were reaching almost 115 miles from the storm’s center.