MIAMI — Tropical Storm Isaias strengthened Wednesday afternoon over the Gulf of Mexico, with forecasters warning that it could reach the northern Gulf Coast as a powerful hurricane Friday, with a life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and widespread flooding.
The National Hurricane Center increased the storm’s maximum sustained winds to 65 mph Wednesday afternoon after Hurricane Hunter aircraft found stronger winds and falling atmospheric pressure. Satellite images showed that Isaias had developed a more organized cloud pattern, indicating that conditions remained favorable for further strengthening.
Forecasters also shifted the projected track slightly eastward, increasing concern along the Florida Panhandle while maintaining hurricane watches across coastal Alabama and Mississippi.
A hurricane watch remained in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida. A storm surge watch extended from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida.
The National Hurricane Center said nearly all forecast models continued to indicate that Isaias would reach the coast as a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane. Although some specialized hurricane models lowered their estimates of the storm’s maximum intensity, forecasters said they wanted to see whether that trend continued before reducing their official forecast.
Isaias was moving east-northeast at approximately 8 mph Wednesday afternoon. Forecasters expect the storm to accelerate northeastward Thursday before turning north Friday as a developing trough over the northwestern Gulf Coast interacts with a strengthening high-pressure system over the Atlantic.
Officials warned that storm surge could threaten lives along portions of the northern Gulf Coast and urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow evacuation instructions.
The hurricane center also advised residents of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi to prepare for damaging hurricane-force winds and potentially prolonged power outages.
Heavy rainfall is expected to spread across the central Gulf Coast and much of the Southeast from Friday through the weekend, bringing the possibility of flash flooding, urban flooding and isolated river flooding.
President Trump was asked today if he would still attend the Alabama v. Georgia football game this weekend. He said he would like to, but didn’t want to go if he would be getting in the way of emergency responders. The White House is still listing the trip as scheduled but subject to change.
