Tropical Storm Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane before reaching the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said. If it reaches hurricane strength, it would be the first hurricane of the Atlantic season and the ninth named storm.
The storm is forecast to pass north of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday. A hurricane warning covers the northern Gulf Coast from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay and Gulf county line in Florida. Tropical storm warnings extend along other parts of the coast, including areas reaching the Aucilla River in Florida. A storm surge warning stretches from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida.
Forecasters said storm surge of up to 7 feet is possible at high tide along a roughly 300-mile stretch from Ocean Springs to Indian Pass, Florida, which could cause major flooding. The hurricane center also expects 3 to 7 inches of rain on the central Gulf Coast, with as much as 10 inches in some areas, and 1 to 5 inches across much of the Southeast.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 25 counties, mainly in the Panhandle and Big Bend region. Alabama’s governor has issued a similar order for 40 counties. The hurricane center urged residents in affected states to monitor forecast updates and finalize their hurricane plans.
The season ends Nov. 30. South Florida is not in the current warning areas, but residents across the state should watch for changes in the forecast.
