Photo: National Hurricane Center/NOAA
The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night Isaias was now a hurricane, with maximum winds at 75 miles per hour.
There were no major changes to the NHC's track, with landfall forecast along the central Gulf Coast by Friday evening. Isaias could peak at Category 2 strength before weakening slightly before it moves inland.
"Isaias is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall, and storm surge of 3 to 5 feet to coastal portions of southeast Louisiana from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Rigolets and from Bay Saint Louis eastward to Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi," said the local National Weather Service office.
"Isaias is forecast to bring the threat of hurricane force wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall, and storm surge of 5 to 7 feet from Ocean Springs, MS eastward in coastal Mississippi," forecasters continued. "The most likely time for impacts will be Friday afternoon into Saturday morning."
"Storm surge warnings are in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama and Mississippi state line. Hurricane warnings are in effect from Ocean Springs to the Alabama and Mississippi state line. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from the Jefferson and Plaquemine Parish line in southeast Louisiana to Ocean Springs, Mississippi," added the NWS. "A Tropical Storm Warning has also been issued for inland Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock Counites. The Hurricane Watch for inland Jackson County, MS will also continue."