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Hurricane Isaac (2012)

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Tropical Storm Isaac
Current storm status
Tropical storm (1-min mean)
Satellite image
Forecast map
As of:11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) August 26
Location:23.9°N 80.8°W ± 25 nm
About 80 mi (130 km) SE of Key West, FL
About 110 mi (180 km) ENE of Havana, Cuba
Sustained winds:55 knots (65 mph; 100 km/h) (1-min mean)
gusting to 65 knots (75 mph; 120 km/h)
Pressure:995 mbar (hPa; 29.38 inHg)
Movement:WNW at 16 kt (18 mph; 30 km/h)
See more detailed information.

Tropical Storm Isaac is currently threatening Southern Florida, the Florida Keys and later potentially the Alabama, the Florida Panhandle or Louisiana and eastern Mississippi. The ninth tropical cyclone and ninth named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave located east of the Lesser Antilles on August 21. Despite initial disorganization, Isaac managed to strengthen into a tropical storm later that day. The storm passed over Hispaniola as a strong tropical storm at midnight on August 24 and is expected to make landfall in the northern Gulf Coast of the United States as at least a Category 2 hurricane.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave crossed the west coast of Africa between August 15 and August 16.[1] Later that day and early on August 17, the system began developing more convection, while located just west of Sierra Leone. As a result, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the system in the Tropical Weather Outlooks (TWOs).[2] Thereafter, further organization briefly halted, though by early on August 18, associated convection became more concentrated.[3] On the following day, the wave reached a "high" probability of tropical cyclogenesis.[4] Between early on August 19 and early on August 21, minimal structural improvement occurred, despite increases in development probability.[5] By August 21, the system developed enough organized for the NHC to initiate advisories on Tropical Depression Nine; at the time, the depression was located about 715 mi (1150 km) east of the Leeward Islands, moving westward to the south of a large ridge. Conditions were generally favorable for further intensification, with the exception of northeasterly wind shear.[6]

Late on August 21, a Hurricane Hunters mission observed flight-level winds of 51 mph (84 km/h), and on this basis the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Isaac. Despite its intensification, the storm was disorganized with its center located north of the deepest convection.[7] The circulation became elongated early on August 22, and the storm absorbed drier air in its northeast quadrant.[8] Later that day, the low pressure area passed just south of Guadeloupe and into the Caribbean Sea.[9] Dry air continued to hinder convection,[7] although Isaac gradually became better organized.[10] Issac made landfall on Hispaniola at midnight on August 24.It weakened while crossing the Island,weakening from a 65 MPH storm to a 60 MPH storm.The weakening trend stopped,however,and the storm started to re-intensify south of the Florida Keys.

Current storm information

As of 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) August 26, Tropical Storm Isaac is located within 25 nautical miles of 23°54′N 80°48′W / 23.9°N 80.8°W / 23.9; -80.8 (Isaac), about 80 mi (130 km) southeast of Key West, Florida and about 110 mi (180 km) east-northeast of Havana, Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are 55 knots (65 mph, 100 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 995 mbar (hPa; 29.38 InHg), and the system is moving west-northwest at 16 kt (18 mph, 30 km/h). Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km) from the center of Isaac.

For latest official information see:

Watches and warnings

See also: Tropical cyclone warnings and watches

Template:HurricaneWarningsTable

Preparations

Lesser Antilles

Upon the first advisory at 0900 UTC on August 21, a tropical storm watch was issued for the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, as well as Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. Additionally, a tropical storm warning was put into effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, dependencies of Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, Saint Kitts, and Saint Martin.[11] By 0910 UTC, the Government of Anguilla issued a tropical storm warning for Anguilla.[12] Later that day, the tropical storm watch in effect for Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. Simultaneously, the Government of France issued a tropical storm warning for Martinique.[13] Early on August 22, the tropical storm watch for the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. Around that time, a hurricane watch was also issued for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.[14]

Greater Antilles and The Bahamas

At 0900 UTC on August 22, the Government of the Dominican Republic issued a tropical storm watch along the north coast of Dominican Republic, from the international border with Haiti eastward to Saona Island. Simultaneously, a hurricane watch was put into place on the south coast and stretched from the border of Dominican Republic and Haiti eastward to Saona Island.[15] At Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, a trial for five prisoners, who allegedly planned the September 11 attacks, was postponed as Isaac approached.[16]

At 1030 UTC on August 24, the Government of Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the entire island of Jamaica.[17] Early on the following day, the Cayman Islands Meteorological Service designated the Cayman Islands under a tropical storm watch.[18] Several hours later, the tropical storm watches for both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands were discontinued on August 25.[19][20]

United States

At 2100 UTC on August 24, a tropical storm watch was issued for all of Florida south of the Jupiter Inlet on the east coast and south of Bonita Springs; it also included Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Keys.[21] Early on the next day, the tropical storm watch was upgraded to a warning, while the Florida Keys and the mainland from Ocean Reef to Bonita Springs was now under a hurricane watch. Further north, a tropical storm watch was issued from the Jupiter Inlet to the Sebastian Inlet.[18] Later on August 25, the hurricane watch was switched to a warning, while a separate hurricane watch was issued from Golden Beach southward.[22]

Isaac also poses a threat to the 2012 Republican National Convention, which is being held in Tampa, Florida during the week of August 27, 2012. According to the Republican National Convention spokesman James Davis, officials have been coordinating with the United States Secret Service, should the 50,000 politicians, delegates, and reporters require evacuation.[23] The Republican National Convention was pushed to August 28, 2012 with the storms threatening the coast of Tampa.[24] Orange juice prices also increased due to the threat of the storm in Florida, which produces more than 75 percent of orange crops in the United States.[16] On August 25, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac. Amtrak suspended the Silver Meteor and Silver Star train service from Orlando to Miami on Sunday, August 26th.[25]

On August 25, the chairman of the RNC Reince Priebus announced the convention would only convene for a short amount of time on August 27 and "immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th". At the same time, Governor Scott announced he will not be attending the convention, together with Alabama governor Robert J. Bentley. [26] [27]

Impact

Lesser Antilles

In Martinique, a meteorologist reported at least 3 inches (76 mm) of rain. One indirect fatality occurred in Puerto Rico after a 75 year old woman fell from a second-floor balcony in Bayamón while preparing for the storm. In Naguabo, minor coastal flooding had resulted in at least one road closure. Scattered to widespread power outages were also confirmed throughout Puerto Rico. [28]

Greater Antilles

Isaac swept across Haiti's southern peninsula, bringing flooding and at least four deaths. A woman and a child died in the town of Souvenance, and a 10-year-old girl died in Thomazeau when a wall fell on her, acoording to the director of Haiti's Civil Protection Office. A seven year old boy was electrocuted in the city of Gonaives. The storm affected regions that were struck by the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[29] As many as 5,000 people were evacuated because of flooding, as scores of tents in quake settlement camps collapsed and at least 300 houses were flooded in the Port-au-Prince shantytown of Cité Soleil. Doctors Without Borders announced it anticipated a spike in cholera cases due to flooding and it was preparing to receive more patients. President Michel Martelly canceled his trip to Japan to coordinate emergency response efforts and visit residents with Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe. [30] [31] [32]

Authorities in the Dominican Republic evacuated nearly 7,800 people from low-lying areas, and at least 10 rural settlements were cut off by flooding. Parts of the capital Santo Domingo lost electricity during the height of the storm. There were no reports of casualties, but at least 49 homes were destroyed throughout the country. [33]

The center of the storm crossed Cuba 28 miles (45 kilometers) west of Maisí, the extreme eastern tip of the island, according to state television. In Baracoa, the electricity was cut off as a preventive measure, and at least two houses were destroyed by flooding. Authorities announced 230 people were in emergency shelters. At the Sol Cayo Coco resort to the west, guests were moved out of the first floor rooms, and intermittent rains and gusty winds were present even in the capital Havana, almost 560 miles (900 kilometers) away. [34]

References

  1. ^ Todd Kimberlain and John Zelinsky (August 16, 2012). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  2. ^ Eric Blake (August 17, 2012). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  3. ^ John Cangialosi (August 18, 2012). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  4. ^ Eric Blake (August 19, 2012). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  5. ^ Eric Blake and Richard Pasch (August 21, 2012). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  6. ^ Stacy Stewart (August 21, 2012). Tropical Depression Nine Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Jack Beven (August 21, 2012). Tropical Storm Isaac Discussion Number 3 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 23, 2012. Cite error: The named reference "disc3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ Jack Beven (August 22, 2012). Tropical Storm Isaac Discussion Number 6 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  9. ^ Jack Beven (August 22, 2012). Tropical Storm Isaac Discussion Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  10. ^ Jack Beven (August 23, 2012). Tropical Storm Isaac Discussion Number 10 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  11. ^ Stacy Stewart (August 21, 2012). "Tropical Depression Nine Advisory Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  12. ^ Stacy Stewart (August 21, 2012). "Tropical Depression Nine Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  13. ^ John Beven II (August 21, 2012). "Tropical Depression Nine Advisory Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  14. ^ Richard Pasch (August 22, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  15. ^ Stacy Stewart (August 22, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Storm Isaac threatens Caribbean, U.S. Republican Convention". Reuters. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Michael Brennan (August 24, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  18. ^ a b Stacy Stewart (August 25, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 16". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  19. ^ Michael Brennan (August 25, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 16-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  20. ^ John Beven II (August 25, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  21. ^ John Beven II (August 24, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 15". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  22. ^ Micheal Brennan and David Roberts (August 24, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory Number 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  23. ^ Alan Gomez and Doyle Rice (August 21, 2012). "Isaac could threaten GOP convention in Tampa". Tucson Citizen. USA Today. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  24. ^ "Hurricane Isaac delays start of Republican National Convention in Tampa". CSMONITER. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  25. ^ "Amtrak Silver Service Impacted by Approaching Tropical Storm Isaac". Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  26. ^ "Gov. Scott withdraws from RNC activities ahead of Isaac". Bay News 9. August 25, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  27. ^ "First day of RNC effectively canceled as Isaac looms". Bay News 9. August 25, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  28. ^ Carlisle Baptiste (August 22, 2012). "Tropical Storm Isaac churns into eastern Caribbean". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Associated Press. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  29. ^ "Tropical Storm Isaac douses Haiti, killing 4 before crossing Cuba and aiming at Florida". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  30. ^ "ISAAC DRENCHES HAITI, HEADS TOWARD CUBA, FLORIDA". AP. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  31. ^ "Tropical Storm Isaac douses Haiti, killing 3; heads into Cuba, then is aimed at Florida". Newser. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  32. ^ "Isaac Storms Through Haiti". Haitian Times. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  33. ^ "Tropical Storm Isaac douses Haiti, killing 3; heads into Cuba, then is aimed at Floridaurl=http://www.newser.com/article/da0sins81/tropical-storm-isaac-douses-haiti-killing-3-heads-into-cuba-then-is-aimed-at-florida.html". Newser. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  34. ^ "Tropical Storm Isaac douses Haiti, killing 3; heads into Cuba, then is aimed at Floridaurl=http://www.newser.com/article/da0sins81/tropical-storm-isaac-douses-haiti-killing-3-heads-into-cuba-then-is-aimed-at-florida.html". Newser. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)

See also

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