The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for a large stretch of the northern Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Isaias continues to strengthen.
The watch runs from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, an area that includes Gulfport, Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, Destin and Panama City. A Storm Surge Watch is also in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida, according to the NHC’s 10 a.m. CDT advisory on Wednesday.
Where the Watches Are
The NHC also issued Tropical Storm Watches from the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to just west of Bay St. Louis, and from east of Indian Pass to the Aucilla River in Florida’s Big Bend. Forecasters said more watches and warnings could be needed later today.
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area. The NHC said tropical storm conditions could begin in the watch areas midday Friday, with hurricane conditions possible late Friday.
Up to 7 Feet of Storm Surge
The highest surge forecast is 5 to 7 feet, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, and in Mobile Bay. Those are heights above ground the water could reach if the peak surge occurs at high tide…