Bayou Blues
Report earlier today from the beach in Biloxi, MS
by Forecaster Joey Krastel
6:00 PM EDT 8/28 (Forecaster Nikki) #Isaac is finally getting better organized as it inches closer to Southeastern Louisiana. Flooding from storm surge and rainfall has commenced along the coast. According to the latest NHC advisory, the current location is 28.7 N 89.2 W about 30 miles SSW of the Mouth of the Mississippi River and about 105 miles SSE of New Orleans Louisiana.
CURRENT INFORMATION:
Current winds are 80 mph with a minimum central pressure of 975 mb. Isaac is moving NW at 8 mph, with a Northwestward motion expected over the next day or two. According to the forecast track, the center of Isaac should reach the coastline of Southeastern Louisiana this evening.
Some slight strengthening is possible before Isaac makes landfall with gradual weakening expected once it makes landfall.
HAZARDS & IMPACTS
The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising water. The peak surge occurs at the time of high tide. Projected surge in feet by region affected:
- 6-12 FT Mississippi and SE Louisiana
- 4-8 FT Alabama
- 3-6 FT South-Central Louisiana
- 3-6 FT Florida Panhandle
- 2-4 FT Apalachee Bay
- 1-3 FT Remainder of Florida West Coast
Isaac is expected to produce rainfall totals of 7-14 inches with higher amounts up to 20 inches, especially over much of Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama, and the extreme Western Florida Panhandle. Lastly, tornadoes are possible along the Northern Gulf coast through this evening.
HURRICANE WARNINGS:
East of Morgan City Louisiana to the Mississippi Alabama border. Including Metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.
HURRICANE WATCH:
Introcoastal City to Morgan City Louisiana
TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS:
The Mississippi-Alabama Border to Destin Florida
Morgan City to Cameron Louisiana
TROPICAL STORM WATCH:
East of High Island Texas to just West of Cameron Louisiana.