Gulf Coast braces for first projected hurricane of season

Weather officials expected Tropical Storm Isaias, which formed Wednesday morning off eastern Mexico, to strengthen into the first official storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The National Weather Center’s projections on Wednesday showed Isaias gaining strength and developing into a significant hurricane by the time of its forecasted landfall later this week. Gulf communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida should prepare for high winds, heavy rain, and flooding, weather officials warned. The storm will also bring an increased risk of tornadoes forming, along with breakers reaching above 10 feet.

The National Hurricane Center warned locals from the Mississippi Sound through Indian Pass on Florida’s Gulf Coast to prepare for possible long-term power loss. Communities near the Mississippi River mouth should evacuate if instructed, the center added.

Florida’s Emergency Response Team issued a warning at its lowest threat level ahead of the storm on Wednesday, with officials warning locals to gather disaster supplies before the storm hit. Although Isaias’ track remained uncertain, families should still review emergency response plans together, according to Georgia’s Emergency Management agency.

Where will it head after making landfall? Meteorologists on Wednesday morning expected the storm to continue north after making landfall, blowing through Mississippi and Alabama, up into Tennessee and Kentucky. Federal projection maps showed the storm reaching up to southern Illinois and Indiana by early Sunday morning.