TS Isaac Nears Haiti with Heavy Rains; Remains on Course for Eastern Florida

In its bulletin issued at 5:00 a.m. EDT the national Hurricane Center in Miami described tropical storm Isaac as “poorly organized.” As a result its most serious threat is not from the wind speed, around 45 mph, 75 km/h, but from the heavy rains that it may dump on Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

The NHC’s bulletin located Isaac at about 165 miles, 265 km, south of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and around 230 miles, 370 km, southeast of Port au Prince, Haiti. It is moving more or less in a Northwesterly direction at 15 mph, 24 km/h. The forecast track continues to place the center of TS Isaac off the western or Gulf coast of Florida by early Monday morning.

The NHC said a “turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today followed by a turn toward the northwest tonight.” On this track Isaac’s center “will move near or over Hispaniola today, and move near or over southeastern Cuba on Saturday. Some strengthening is forecast while the center remains over water. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles, 295 km, from the center.

The NHC said total rainfall accumulations are expected to be from 8 to 12 inches, 20 to 30 cms, with maximum amounts of 20 inches, 51 cms, over Hispaniola. “These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides,” the NHC warned. “Total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, 7.6 to 15.25 cms, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, 25.4 cms, are possible across eastern Cuba. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, 5 to 10 cms, with maximum amounts of 6 inches over higher terrain are possible over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.” 2 to 4 inches of rain are also possible over the southeastern Bahamas.

Source: National Hurricane Center

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