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Tropical Storm Isaias forms in Gulf
FOX 13 Tampa Bay • • nation
Key Points:
- Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday morning in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving east-northeast at 8 mph.
- The storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane, potentially reaching Category 2 or 3 strength, as it moves toward the Northern Gulf Coast.
- Isaias is expected to turn northward and approach land late Friday night or early Saturday morning, with likely landfall near Mobile Bay, Alabama, west of the Florida Panhandle.
- Forecasters remain uncertain about the storm’s exact path and intensity at landfall, particularly how wind shear will affect its strength within 24 hours of reaching the coast.
- Coastal residents from the Florida Panhandle to the Mississippi-Louisiana border should prepare for storm surge and tornado risks associated with the storm’s eastern side.
