"Hello Hurricane"
- Title of 2009 single by alternative band SwitchFoot
11:50 AM EDT 8/28 - Recent Reconnaissance Aircraft observations has found flight level wind gusts near 100 mph but surface winds remain just below hurricane level. Despite an improved structure on satellite, the Hurricane Hunters have not found continuous, sustained winds at the surface of the ocean at hurricane strength.
Current satellite loop of Isaac as it approaches mouth of the Mississippi
1:00 PM EDT 8/28 (Forecaster Jason M.) Reports from Hurricane Hunters within the past hour indicated that sustained winds have reached at least 74 mph, and thus the NHC has upgraded it to a h urricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph along with minimum central pressure down to 975 mb. Forecaster Joey Krastel has an on-site report and video in our "Intercepting Isaac" page and is tweeting local reports from our Tropical twitter account @fftropicalzone.
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| Graphic by Forecaster Josh O. of the Maryland Weather Center |
Isaac is moving northwest at 10 mph, and may slow down further within the next 18 hours. The slow movement will allow for serious impacts to last for many hours in southern Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle.
11:50 AM EDT 8/28 - Recent Reconnaissance Aircraft observations has found flight level wind gusts near 100 mph but surface winds remain just below hurricane level. Despite an improved structure on satellite, the Hurricane Hunters have not found continuous, sustained winds at the surface of the ocean at hurricane strength.
WHAT WE KNOW The storm is moving northwest at 10 mph and minimum central pressure remains at 976 mb. Landfall is not expected in Louisiana until tonight, so there is still time for Isaac to become a hurricane.
Water just beginning to rise at 9:40 AM this morning in Biloxi. - Forecaster Joey
EXPECTED IMPACTS Significant storm surge is expected along the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts, and rainfall amounts may exceed one foot in many locations. Damaging winds will also be a concern for areas along the coast. As a result, power outages will be a serious concern. Isaac remains a larger than normal tropical cyclone, and flooding rains will spread inland Wednesday.
ON-SITE REPORTS. In advance of the storm approaching, we have an on-site team reporting with Forecaster Joey Krastel in Biloxi, MS and Forecaster Rod Michal in Gulfport, MS. Details can be found in our "Intercepting Isaac" post.
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| Forecaster Joey Krastel in Biloxi, MS |