What Isaac means for the Pine Belt

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By Robert Whitehurst - email

By Nick Ortego - email

As of 1 a.m. Tuesday, Tropical Storm Isaac had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and movement was to the NW at 12 mph. The minimum pressure has dropped to 978 Mb.

Isaac has been slow to strengthen Monday, which is great news. However, Isaac is now trying to fend off some dry air and show some signs of life. The National Hurricane Center is now forecasting a category 1 hurricane at landfall with 90 mph winds. However, we should caution that intensity forecasts are often very inaccurate.

The forecast track shifted westward throughout the day Sunday, but crept back a little east Monday. Currently, landfall is predicted near Grand Isle Louisiana late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

A Hurricane warning is now in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to Destin, Florida. This includes the Mississippi coast. A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for Perry, Wayne, Greene, Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Jones, Covington, Jeff Davis, and Lawrence counties.

If the current forecast track holds true, the Pine Belt could be looking at sustained tropical storm force winds of 40-50 mph. A slow moving storm may also mean possible flooding from very heavy rainfall. The Hydrometerorologic Prediction Center is currently forecasting 8-16 inches of rain for parts of the Pine Belt. The threat of tornadoes would be present as well.

If the course shifts more east, we will likely see stronger winds.

The latest information can always be found at: http://www.wdam.com/category/102219/hurricane-center

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