Hurricane Isaias has strengthened into a Category 2 storm packing 100 mile per hour sustained winds, according to the 5 p.m. advisory. A hurricane hunter aircraft confirmed those winds after flying through the storm within the last hour, giving forecasters a firsthand measurement rather than a projection. The storm is currently moving east-northeast and is expected to make a northward turn by midday Friday.
That turn is the key. It places Isaias on a direct path toward the northern Gulf coast from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle, with landfall forecast late Friday night or early Saturday morning. The most dangerous element near the center is storm surge, which could reach as high as 7 feet. Residents in those coastal communities should be finalizing their plans now.
For Suncoast listeners, the bottom line is that we avoid a direct impact but still feel the storm’s reach. Expect high surf, dangerous rip currents, and boating advisories along our beaches through the weekend. Red flags mean no swimming, no exceptions. If you have family or property up on the Panhandle or Mississippi coast, today is the day to check in with them. What’s your biggest concern going into this weekend?
