Wind and waves are washing out beaches from Jacksonville to Miami and threatening a handful of coastal structures. But Tropical Storm Noel's worst effects are expected to spare Florida.

The National Weather Service warns strong, gusty winds swirling between Noel and a high-pressure system over the East Coast will continue buffeting Florida through tomorrow. Noel is expected to skirt the state's coast over the next day or two.

The National Hurricane Center says Noel's center is about 235 miles southeast of Miami. It's nearly stationary, but is expected to turn to the north away from Florida later in the day and speed away from the U.S. over the Bahamas. It has top sustained winds near 50 miles-an-hour -- up from 40 earlier in the day.

As a precaution, the South Florida Water Management District has lowered canals in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in anticipation of possible flooding.