Schools closing in Florida as tropical storm Gordon approaches

In this image released by NOAA’s GOES-16 on Sept. 3, 2018, tropical storm Gordon appears south of Florida. AP

MIAMI BEACH, Florida — A number of schools near Pensacola in northwest Florida have called off classes as tropical storm Gordon spins through the Gulf of Mexico.

Officials along Pensacola Beach say the waves are picking up Tuesday morning and lifeguards are warning beachgoers of the danger.

Pensacola Water Safety Capt. Jake Wilson tells WEAR-TV the strong east wind is bringing a lateral current “where it’s just going to push you down the beach.”

Wilson says beachgoers shouldn’t get into the Gulf of Mexico when red flags are flying along the beaches.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the mouth of the Pearl River in Mississippi to the Alabama-Florida border. The National Hurricane Center is predicting a “life-threatening” storm surge along parts of the central Gulf Coast. /ee