Tropical storm comes ashore near Miami, but no damage reported; headed for Gulf oil spill area

Bonnie lands near Miami, headed for Gulf oil spill

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Bonnie has made landfall in Florida south of Miami with top sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (65 kph).

The storm was headed over South Florida on a track to cross the Gulf of Mexico near the site of the massive BP oil spill by Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the eye of Bonnie came ashore Friday midday near Cutler Bay, about 20 miles south of Miami.

There were no immediate reports of damage from the storm that so far has just spread some rain across South Florida.

Tropical storm warnings were in place for much of Florida’s east coast and from the Florida Panhandle at Destin to Morgan City, La.

Bonnie is expected to strengthen when it moves over the Gulf late Friday and Saturday. The storm is moving west-northwest near 18 mph (30 kph).