(AP photo/NOAA)

Tropical Storm Bonnie is already being felt at the site of BP’s troublesome well in the Gulf of Mexico, even though the storm won’t arrive there in full until Sunday.

A Coast Guard admiral says seas are choppy, rocking boats as crews get ready to leave. A mile of pipe is being pulled up before workers and their gear move to safer waters.

Bonnie has made landfall in Florida, south of Miami, with top sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. It’s expected to strengthen as it travels over the Gulf.

Scientists say even a severe storm shouldn’t affect the plug in the well, which is nearly a mile beneath the ocean. But the weather delay could push back work on a permanent plug by 12 days.

Tropical storm warning for Gulf Coast as Bonnie moves toward oil spill

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Gulf coast as Bonnie begins moving over South Florida.

The new tropical storm warning area extends from Destin, Fla., to Morgan City, La., and includes Lake Pontchartrain, north of New Orleans.

The tropical storm has maximum sustained winds Friday near 40 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen when it moves into the Gulf of Mexico late Friday night and Saturday.

The storm is expected to pass over the Gulf oil spill, where work has been suspended.