Florida’s Gov. DeSantis Declares Emergency As Hurricane Isaias Closes In

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Hurricane Isaias will maintain its hurricane status for several days as it passes along Florida’s central Atlantic coast, the National Hurricane Center says. The storm’s forecast cone predicts it will hug the southeastern U.S. coastline.

National Weather Service

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National Weather Service

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Hurricane Isaias is predicted to strengthen before nearing the U.S. coast this weekend. The storm is currently bringing dangerous rains to the Bahamas.

NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East

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NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East

Hurricane Isaias is predicted to strengthen before nearing the U.S. coast this weekend. The storm is currently bringing dangerous rains to the Bahamas.

NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East

The hurricane will move «near or over the Northwestern Bahamas Saturday and near the east coast of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon through Sunday, the NHC says.

«Localized flooding is expected throughout the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands as Isaias is forecast to produce rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, the Bahamas Meteorology Department said on Friday.

In Florida, a hurricane warning — meaning hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the area — extends from Boca Raton up to the line between Volusia and Brevard counties.

Warning of a dangerous and destructive storm surge, the NHC says that if the peak surge coincides with the ocean’s high tide, coastal areas from Jupiter Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach could see a surge of 2-4 feet.

The system has become better organized Friday, and it is moving northwest at around 15 mph, the NHC says. Over the next day, Isaias is expected to slow its forward motion and turn more toward the north-northwest, to hug the U.S. coastline.

«Heavy rains associated with Isaias may begin to affect the eastern Carolinas by early next week, the hurricane center says. «This rain could result in isolated flash and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas, as well as isolated minor river flooding.

If evacuations and shelters become necessary in North Carolina, the governor’s office says, anyone seeking shelter will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

«If an individual has COVID symptoms, they will be redirected to a non-congregate sheltering option where they can more easily isolate, a statement from Cooper’s office says.

«Hurricane preparations will be different given the COVID-19 pandemic, and families need to keep that in mind as they get ready, Cooper said.

Safety concerns about the storm prompted the Florida Division of Emergency Management to close all state-supported COVID-19 testing sites for several days, starting Thursday evening. But that plan has since been changed, after Isaias’ forecast track shifted farther to the east. On Friday, DeSantis said only testing sites on the state’s eastern coast will be closed.