Tropical Storm Isaac blew just south of the Florida Keys Sunday and left minor damages but from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle, residents should be on watch as Tropical Storm Isaac could turn into a Category 1 hurricane late Tuesday or Wednesday.
As Tropical Storm Isaac swept over the Florida Keys, officials urged tourists to leave the area which had been under a hurricane warning. They also recommended that everyone stay indoors. There was minimal damage and Key West International Airport should be back up and running within a few days time.
Original predictions said that Isaac could be as much as a Category 2 hurricane, but National Hurricane Center director Rick Knabb told Good Morning America, on Monday that Isaac is not as strong as they originailly thought it would be. He noted however, the fickleness of earthquakes and its important to be prepared.
Forecasts for the Gulf Coast show that the Isaac could become a Category 2 hurricane and if it hits during high tide it could cause floods as deep as 12 feet in Louisiana, Missisippi and Alabama.
New Orleans is no stranger to hurricanes. In nearby, Grand Isle, La the mayor ordered a mandatory evacuation and many business in New Orleans are shutting shop early in preparation. Amtrak has suspended train service in Louisiana for Tuesday and Wednesday and certain routes heading to dangerous areas.
If the hurricane hits New Orleans Wednesday, it would coincide with the seventh anniversary of the stronger, Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans.
In Alabama authorities have also warned residents Monday, about high water and strong winds that could affect the area. Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said to CNN, "It is a very large storm. And oftentimes we confuse and focus on a specific dot that may be identified as the center of the storm when very dangerous conditions may exist as far as 200 miles from that specific dot."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
