ACTION 8 WEATHER AUTHORITY: Tracking Isaias
ACTION 8 WEATHER AUTHORITY (WAKA) – Hurricane Isaias is now the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, it’s expected to rapidly strengthen before coming ashore in or near Alabama’s gulf coast. Landfall is expected Friday evening.
Some Gulf oil wells have paused production and the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores has been canceled. That event drew 325,000 people last year.
As it moves inland, Isaias might also disrupt Saturday’s football game between Georgia and Alabama in Tuscaloosa, a game President Trump has planned to attend.
Isaias is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane, with winds of 96 to 110 MPH, before it strikes land.
Action 8 Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler says the current forecast track brings the system northward into Alabama. This track would bring strong winds and heavy rain across much of our area Friday night into Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 mph, with some areas potentially seeing gusts closer to 60 mph. Winds of this strength will likely bring down some trees and could lead to scattered power outages.
Heavy rainfall will also be a major concern. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible, with locally higher amounts. Flash flooding could become a significant problem, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Areas along and east of the storm’s track will also face a tornado threat. Tropical tornadoes can develop quickly and often provide very little warning, so be prepared to move to a safe place immediately if a warning is issued for your location.
Weather conditions could begin improving as early as late Saturday afternoon. Isaias is expected to increase its forward speed as it moves northward, allowing the system to exit Alabama relatively quickly.
Now is the time to prepare. First, download the free Action 8 weather app:
iPhone – Android
Next, make sure you have more than one way to get weather alerts. A NOAA weather radio in addition to your phone (with your emergency alerts turned on) make for a good combination. Do not depend on sirens to keep you protected.
Know where to go inside your home if severe weather is imminent. If you live in a mobile home, you need to find sturdy shelter somewhere else. Plan now for what you will do.
Action 8 News will bring you live coverage on-air, online and on your phone. We will be staffed around the clock until the tropical weather threat passes.
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Severe weather coverage on Action 8 News is sponsored by the Johnny Adams Law Firm.
