Beryl bears down on Georgia, Florida coast

Tropical Storm Beryl is approaching hurricane strength as it moves closer to the southeaste U.S. coast, where it is expected to make landfall in hours.

The threat will bring rain to north Georgia and metro Atlanta, officials said.

Tropical storm waings were in effect for the entire Georgia coastline, as well as parts of Florida and South Carolina.

Winds are expected to get up to 50 mph on parts of  the Georgia coastline Sunday night and several inches of rain is expected.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported Sunday evening that Beryl had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, just below hurricane-strength, which is 75 mph. Forecasters said Beryl is not expected to strengthen much more before landfall late Sunday or early Monday, after which it should weaken steadily.

As of 8 p.m. EDT, the storm was about 75 miles east of Jacksonville, Fla. The hurricane center said the Jacksonville pier was already reporting winds of 50 mph. Beryl was moving westward at 10 mph.

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Channel 2's Tony Thomas is reporting from the Port of Savannah, which offiials closed Sunday due to high winds. The Port of Brunwick is also closed. Lifeguards on Tybee island keeping are keeping  people out of water due to dangerous riptides.

Tybee Island fire Chief C.L. Sasser said winds of up to 42 mph were creating "horrendous water currents." Only people with flotation devices strapped or tethered to their bodies were being allowed into the water, and they were being cautioned not to venture in farther than knee deep.

"Even if you're standing in waist-deep water, the current can sweep you out quickly," he said.

His ocean rescue team pulled a total of 48 people from the water on Saturday, he said, including about 27 that were considered to be in life-threatening conditions. One man who was sucked under the water was rescued by friends and onlookers and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

A band of showers soaked the beaches late Sunday moing, causing crowds to thin, Sasser said. With alteating rainy and sunny weather forecast throughout the day, he said he expected the crowds on the sands to ebb and flow.