By Zoila Palma: Hurricane Isaias is being investigated by Hurricane Hunters as the storm moves toward the northern Gulf Coast, where preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds are being urged to reach completion.
At 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the storm was located about 175 miles (280 km) north-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center reported.
Isaias was moving east-northeast at about 9 mph (15 km/h), with a turn toward the northeast expected later Thursday, followed by a turn northward on Friday.
Forecasters said the hurricane is expected to pass north of the Yucatán Peninsula before making landfall along the US northern Gulf Coast within the warning area late Friday or early Saturday.
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), with stronger gusts, and additional strengthening was expected through early Friday.
Forecasters warned that Isaias could remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast, bringing the potential for damaging winds and dangerous storm surge.
Storm surge could cause significant coastal flooding, with water levels reaching 5 to 7 feet above ground from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, and within Mobile Bay.
Other areas could see 3 to 6 feet of surge, while Lake Pontchartrain could experience 1 to 3 feet.
Forecasters warned that the highest water levels are expected near and east of the landfall location, where the surge could combine with large and dangerous waves.
The post International News: Hurricane Isaias strengthens as it heads toward US Gulf Coast appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Hurricane Isaias is being investigated by Hurricane Hunters as the storm moves toward the northern Gulf Coast, where preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds are being urged to reach completion. At 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the storm was located about 175 miles (280 km) north-northwest of
The post International News: Hurricane Isaias strengthens as it heads toward US Gulf Coast appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.