All tropical cyclones are dangerous, even ones which don't reach hurricane strength.

Tropical Storm Erika's track shifted west Friday morning, and it now looks unlikely it could gain hurricane strength as previously anticipated.

Erika's track still has uncertainty, since so much relies on what happens Friday as the storm encounters mountainous terrain and land if it passes over or near the Dominican Republic. There is still a chance the storm could weaken as it battles not only the terrain, but also dry air and wind shear during this time.

However, if Erika survives, conditions become more favorable for strengthening once it emerges north of Cuba and in the southern Bahamas.

Erika already has a history of producing over a foot of rain in the island nation of Dominica. Should this track hold, Florida could be in for significant rain and/or flooding Monday through even Wednesday if Erika slows down over land.

That's why there is no such thing as "just" a tropical storm. Stay alert on the latest track of Erika, and make sure you're prepared for a tropical storm's impact in Central Florida.

In 2008, a tropical storm named Fay left areas along the Central Florida coast under water for days. Brevard and Volusia counties were especially hard-hit, and 11 deaths in Florida alone were attributed to Fay.

A LOOK BACK: Memories of Tropical Storm Fay in 2008



This 2008 photo shows flooding in Viera from Tropical Storm Fay. (Jennifer Herrick)