The National Hurricane Center is narrowing the forecast path of Hurricane Isaias, while strongly emphasizing the importance of preparation for a dangerous storm impact in the western Florida panhandle region and Mississippi delta.  Everyone in the area should pay close attention, inland flooding will be a concern.

Isaias is anticipated to intensify just prior to landfall over warm water overnight tonight and start moving forward very quickly.  This can push the wind driven water very severely into the northern Florida panhandle region and coastal area.  The storm surge can be very dangerous.  Coastal evacuations are beginning and all preparation should be rushed to completion.

[National Hurricane Center] – At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Isaias was located near latitude 27.7 North, longitude 87.3 West. Isaias is moving toward the north-northeast near 16 mph (26 km/h). This motion is expected to continue through this evening, followed by a northward motion on Saturday. On the forecast track, Isaias is expected to approach the U.S. northern Gulf Coast this afternoon and make landfall within the warning area this evening.

Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Isaias is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in intensity are possible through this afternoon, but Isaias is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall this evening. Weakening is expected beginning tonight after Isaias makes landfall, and the storm is likely to become post-tropical by late Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). (more)

Communication is important.  Update your friends and family contact list. Stay in touch with family and friends, let them know your plans. Select a single point of contact for communication from you that all others can then contact for updates if needed.

CTH Recommendations for solid Prep ARE HERE

The buzzsaw for Isaias is approximately 70 miles at current conditions (35 miles from center).  This is the area of greatest wind damage.  Hurricanes spin counterclockwise. The coastal flooding will be most extreme on the right side of Isaias as the wind pushes the water toward the coastline.

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Hurricane Isaias continues nearly on the predicted track while the intensity forecast remains a challenge. No substantive changes to the overall thinking. Outdoor preparations and home-hardening in advance of the hurricane should be completed by early tomorrow. Inland residents should prepare for power outages due to excessively high wind gusts.

[National Hurricane Center] – At 400 PM CDT (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Isaias was located near latitude 24.4 North, longitude 89.3 West. Isaias is moving toward the northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the north is expected on Friday. On the forecast track, Isaias is expected to pass to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula through this evening and make landfall along the U.S. northern Gulf Coast within the warning area late Friday or early Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected through early Friday, and Isaias should remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast Friday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb (28.80 inches). (more)

A hurricane watch is in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida. A storm surge watch is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to Yankeetown, Florida. {Nat Hurricane Center} Those in the forecast areas are strongly advised to pay close attention to local officials and heed all evacuation orders.

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Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to track northeastward and quickly ramp up to a hurricane while over the central Gulf in the next several hours. Landfall along the central Gulf Coast is expected Friday night or Saturday morning as a strong Category 2 storm.  Residents in the FL panhandle, MS, LA and AL should pay attention to local forecasts.

A hurricane watch is in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida. A storm surge watch is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to Yankeetown, Florida. {Nat Hurricane Center} Those in the forecast areas are strongly advised to pay close attention to local officials and heed all evacuation orders.

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Check your hurricane supplies of shelf-stable food, water, medicine and don’t forget pets.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Everything is replaceable, except you and your family.  We have a lot of Treepers in the path of this storm. If you need assistance, use the comments section of any ‘Isaias Update thread’ to reach out, or use the email address in the upper right of the site.

Right now, you are in control.  Have a solid plan, work that plan – stay busy, and don’t get caught up in the hysteria.  Try to avoid national media hype. Stay updated via your local news stations. Friday morning looks like the key day impact zones will be identified.  Reach out to your neighbors; touch-base and check to see if they are okay or need anything.  Community restoration begins before the storm arrives. Look out for each-other.

Remember the inland lessons in Tennessee and Western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene. Regarding any evacuation plan, please pay attention to your local officials who will be coordinating with state Dept. of Transportation.  As the path and impact zone of the storm becomes more predictable your local officials will alert to best route(s) for evacuation.

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