It is a Tropical Storm.
From Biloxi to Apalachicola I would be concerned. Ocean will be riled up. I was forced to leave Hatteras last week but the effects were minimal.
This storm will grow and may go east.
What is your source reference for this assertion at this hour?
I remember Hurricane Opal. It started in just about the same area. Everyone sort of dismissed it but once it got into the Gulf it rapidly increased until it was a category 4.
Now I know the professional hurricane trackers know all this but they have been caught by surprise before.