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Hurricane Isaias forecast to bring dangerous storm surge, with millions under warnings in US
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Hurricane Isaias has intensified to a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph winds and is forecasted to strengthen further before making landfall on the northern US Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday.
- Life-threatening storm surge warnings are in effect from the Mississippi River mouth to Steinhatchee, Florida, with hurricane warnings from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to the Bay/Gulf county line, Florida.
- Heavy rainfall of 3 to 7 inches, with localized amounts up to 15 inches, is expected across the central Gulf Coast and southeastern US, raising risks of flash flooding, urban flooding, and isolated river flooding.
- Tornado threats exist for coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, southwestern Georgia on Friday night, extending into eastern Alabama, Georgia, and northern Florida on Saturday.
- States of emergency have been declared in multiple counties in Alabama and Florida, with local evacuations ordered and school closures announced; the FAA has also cautioned about potential Gulf air route closures.
