Warnings issued for Jersey Shore as Tropical Storm Fay set to bring rain, wind, tornadoes - USA TODAY

Fay was expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, with the possibility of flash flooding in parts of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England.

– Tropical storm warnings were issued for the entire Jersey Shore through Friday evening as a strengthening coastal storm was forecast to bring torrential rain and gusty winds to the state.

A disturbance spinning off the coast of North Carolina was named Tropical Storm Fay Thursday evening as winds reached 40 miles per hour at its center.  Fay slightly picked up speed and strength as it moved closer to land Friday, and forecasters decreased projections for rain totals and flooding.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect along the coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May,  with damaging winds expected to reach up to 60 mph heading into the mainland, according to the National Weather Service and private meteorologists.

Fay was expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, with the possibility of flash flooding in parts of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England, The U.S.

Forecasters say the biggest impact will be the heavy rainfall that will bring some flash flooding which could life-threatening, as "rapidly rising flood waters may quickly inundate roadways and areas of poor drainage.

Tropical Storm Fay brought 45 mph wind gusts, heavy rain and the potential for strong rip currents to the New Jersey coastline on Friday.

One of the main threat associated with Tropical Storm Fay will be heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding

As much as 3 to 5 inches of rain can be expected across portions of the Mid Atlantic and New England with Fay