TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Isaias strengthened to become a Category 1 hurricane overnight and has been lashing the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos with strong winds and heavy squalls this morning.
A Hurricane Watch was issued for parts of the Florida east coast around 11 a.m. Friday morning.
The National Hurricane Center issued a special advisory around midnight, saying Isaias had strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane. Forecasters predict the storm will remain at Category 1 strength over the Bahamas and once it reaches Florida.
As of 11 a.m. ET, Hurricane Isaias is about 365 miles south-southeast of Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas, and about 295 southeast of Nassau. It’s moving northwest at about 16 mph.
Isaias is still expected to move over or near the southeastern Bahamas overnight before reaching the central Bahamas on Friday night. The forecast then brings it near or over the northwestern Bahamas and near South Florida on Saturday.
According to the NHC, Isaias could start impacting Florida on Saturday.
The storm is expected to dump 2 to 4 inches of rain on South Florida and east-Central Florida from Friday night through Monday. The heavy rains could cause isolated flash and urban flooding.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for portions of the Florida east coast from north of Deerfield Beach northward to the Volusia-Brevard County Line. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for portions of the Florida east coast from north of Ocean Reef northward to Sebastian Inlet and for Lake Okeechobee. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible in the area, generally within 48 hours.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- Northwestern Bahamas: Andros Island, New Providence, Eleuthera, Abacos Islands, Berry Islands, Grand Bahamas Island and Bimini
- Southeastern Bahamas: The Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands
- Central Bahamas: Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- North of Deerfield Beach to the Volusia-Brevard County Line
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- North of Ocean Reef northward to Sebastian Inlet
- Lake Okeechobee
