(CNN) Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Nestor was inundating portions of the Gulf Coast on Friday night, the National Hurricane Center. That could be good news for inland residents who endured a dry and hot September.

The fast-moving weather system gained tropical storm status and had maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.

Winds, rain and storm surge will increase, with the center of Nestor expected to make landfall around daybreak Saturday near Panama City in the Florida Panhandle.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for a portion of Florida, from Navarre to Yankeetown. A storm-surge warning was in effect from Indian Pass to Clearwater Beach.

The rain couldn't come at a better time for parts of the South. Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi all had their driest September on record.

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