Isaias: Storm reclassified as post-tropical cyclone as it heads into Canada

Hurricane Isaias made landfall shortly after 11 p.m. EDT Monday in North Carolina and weakened to a tropical storm overnight.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 17

Hurricane Isaias strikes the Carolinas People walk through floodwaters on Ocean Boulevard on August 3, 2020, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Here are the latest updates:

Update 5 a.m. EDT Aug. 5: Live updates have concluded for this post.

Update 11:01 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Isaias is no longer considered a tropical system as it moved into southeastern Canada on Tuesday night. In its 11 p.m. EDT advisory, the National Hurricane Center classified Isaias as a post-tropical cyclone. Tropical storm conditions are expected for a few more hours along parts of the New England coast, the hurricane center said.

The center of the storm was located 45 miles east-southeast of Montreal, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm is still moving rapidly, heading north-northeast at 38 mph.

Heavy winds caused downed wires and power outages in Massachusetts and other parts of New England, WFXT reported.

Update 8:15 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Tropical Storm Isaias continued to weaken as it plowed into upper New England on Tuesday evening. According to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. EDT advisory, the center of the storm was located about 5 miles north-northwest of Rutland, Vermont. The storm was picking up speed and moving to the north-northeast at 40 mph, the hurricane center said.

In Massachusetts, more than 220,000 people were without power, according to WFXT.

The next advisory by the National Hurricane Center is scheduled for 11 p.m. EDT.

Update 5:10 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Storm damage and power outages have been reported throughout the Hampton Roads area of Virginia as Tropical Storm Isaias moved through the area. Dominion Energy said that more than 184,000 customers are still without power in southeastern Virginia, WAVY reported.

Contractors and power crews spent the day repairing power lines that were toppled over by the storm, WTVR reported.

As Isaias raced through New York and toward New England, the New York metropolitan area experienced high winds and stormy weather.

At 5 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was located 20 miles west of Albany, New York. The storm retained its punch, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph as it headed toward Vermont.

Earlier, a tornado touched down in Strathmere, New Jersey, WCBS reported. Another possible tornado was sighted in Ocean City, the television station reported.

Update 3:50 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Sheriff John Holley of Bertie County, N.C., said Tuesday that two children and an adult reported missing after a tornado destroyed a mobile home park overnight have been located, WSOC-TV reported.

The three were identified as two children and their mother, WSOC-TV reported. Holley said officials determined that the children were not in the area and that their mother was at work when the storm hit.

The tornado that touched down early Tuesday destroyed about a dozen mobile homes, leaving only two standing, according to WSOC-TV.

Two people died in the tornado and 20 other people were injured, WSOC-TV and WTVD reported.

Update 3:20 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Millions of people along the East Coast were without power Tuesday afternoon as Tropical Storm Isaias continued to make its way north.

Nearly 2.7 million Americans in eight states from Virginia to Connecticut are dealing with outages, CNN reported. More than 1.2 million of those outages were reported in New Jersey alone, according to CNN. The news network reported more than 383,000 outages across Pennsylvania.

Update 2 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Tropical Storm Isaias picked up speed Tuesday afternoon as it moved up the East Coast, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said in a 2 p.m. advisory.

The storm, which was about 65 miles west of New York City as of 2 p.m., is moving to the north-northeast at 40 mph, according to officials. It’s expected to drop heavy rainfall as it moves into southern Canada on Tuesday night.

Update 1:55 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Officials in Bertie County, N.C., said Tuesday that two people have died after a tornado swept through the county overnight, WSOC-TV reported.

Previously, officials had said one person died in the tornado.

Update 12:45 p.m. EDT Aug. 4: Officials in Bertie County, N.C., confirmed Tuesday morning that one person died and nearly two dozen others were injured in a tornado that touched down overnight, WSOC-TV reported.

Bertie County Commissioner Ronald Wesson told WTVD that two children were unaccounted for after the tornado swept through the area.

Update 11 a.m. EDT Aug. 4: The center of Tropical Storm Isaias was moving quickly across eastern Maryland on Tuesday morning, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. advisory.

Officials said the storm was about 70 miles southwest of Philadelphia by 11 a.m. and moving north-northeast at 35 mph. Tropical storm warnings issued south of Duck, North Carolina, have been cancelled, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expect Isaias to move near or along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states Tuesday before heading into southern Canada tonight.

Update 8:11 a.m. EDT Aug. 4: Tropical Storm Isaias is moving across southeastern Virginia, the National Hurricane Center reported Tuesday morning.

In its 8 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said strong winds, heavy rainfall and the threat of tornadoes will spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast this morning. The storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, is located about 15 miles south-southeast of Tappahannock, Virginia. It is moving north-northeast at 33 mph, forecasters said.

Meanwhile, at least one person was killed and others were missing when a tornado struck a Bertie County, North Carolina, mobile home park, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

Update 5:03 a.m. EDT Aug. 4: The center of Tropical Storm Isaias is nearing southeast Virginia, the National Hurricane Center reported early Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said strong winds, heavy rainfall and the threat of tornadoes will spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast this morning.

The storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, is located about 15 miles southeast of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and 85 miles west-southwest of Norfolk, Virginia. It is moving north-northeast at 28 mph.

Read more here.

Update 4:34 a.m. EDT Aug. 4: Isaias has weakened to a tropical storm over eastern North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center reported early Tuesday. Southeastern Virginia is beginning to experience strong winds, heavy rainfall and the threat of tornadoes, the agency said.

Update 2:02 a.m. EDT Aug. 4: The center of Hurricane Isaias is moving quickly north-northeastward over eastern North Carolina, and strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast this morning, the National Hurricane Center reported early Tuesday.

In its 2 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the Category 1 storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, was located about 60 miles southwest of Greenville, North Carolina. It was moving north-northeast at 23 mph.

Read more here.

Update 11:28 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, about 11:10 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center reported late Monday. The Category 1 storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

Update 11:19 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: Hurricane Isaias continued to gain forward speed Monday night as it barreled toward the coasts of the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center.

By 11 p.m., the Category 1 hurricane was located about 40 miles east-northeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, moving north-northeast at 22 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

A gradual increase in forward speed is expected to continue overnight, followed by a further increase Tuesday, the NHC confirmed. Little change in strength is forecast before the storm makes landfall.

The center of Isaias is now expected to make landfall in southern North Carolina within the next two hours, before tracking across eastern North Carolina in the overnight hours. The storm’s center is then forecast to move near or along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday, before crossing the northeastern United States on Tuesday night.

Update 10:13 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: Hurricane Isaias gained both strength and steam late Monday, according to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center.

As of 9 p.m., the Category 1 hurricane’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 85 mph, and its forward speed increased to 18 mph as it continued its north-northeastern track toward the Carolinas.

Isaias’ maximum sustained winds must increase to at least 96 mph for the storm to be upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane.

Update 8:18 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Storm Isaias to a Category 1 hurricane just before 8 p.m. Monday.

With maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, the storm is expected to make landfall along northeastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina, bringing strong winds and storm surge to the region before moving inland across eastern North Carolina early Tuesday morning.

Hurricane Isaias, which is presently moving to the north-northeast at 16 mph, is currently located about 60 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 60 miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

Update 5:20 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said early Monday evening that Tropical Storm Isaias is getting “better organized” and is expected to bring dangerous winds and storm surge to northeastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina as it strengthens slightly and makes landfall as a hurricane.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to stretch from the eastern Carolinas to the mid-Atlantic coast Monday night and Tuesday.

The storm, which was about 60 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, at 5 p.m., has maintained maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and continues to churn north-northeast at 16 mph.

Although the National Weather Service discontinued its Tropical Storm Warning south of the Savannah River, it extended the warning northward to Stonington, Maine.

The center of Isaias is expected to approach the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina within the hurricane warning area this evening, before moving inland

across eastern North Carolina early Tuesday morning. The storm is then expected to move along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states Tuesday with only gradual weakening and continue across the northeastern United States Tuesday night.

Update 2:05 p.m. EDT Aug. 3: Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said Monday afternoon that Tropical Storm Isaias remained on track to strengthen into a hurricane later in the day, when it’s expected to make landfall.

The storm, which was about 115 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, at 2 p.m., is expected to move inland over the eastern North Carolina coast on Monday night before moving north along the coast.

Update 11 a.m. EDT Aug. 3: Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to pass “well east of the Georgia coast” through Monday afternoon, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. advisory.

The storm is expected to reach hurricane strength Monday night just before reaching the coast of either South Carolina or North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 11 a.m., officials said the storm was about 90 miles east-southeast of Brunswick, Georgia.

Update 8:05 a.m. EDT Aug. 3: Tropical Storm Isaias is passing well offshore Florida’s northeastern coast and is still forecast to become a hurricane later today, the National Hurricane Center said Monday morning.

In its 8 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, was about 100 miles east-southeast of Jacksonville, Florida, and 250 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was moving north at 13 mph.

Storm surge warnings are in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina. Meanwhile, a hurricane warning is in effect for South Santee River, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina. Tropical storm warnings also remain in effect for Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, to South Santee River, South Carolina; north of Surf City, North Carolina, to west of Watch Hill, Rhode Island; Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach; Tidal Potomac River south of Cobb Island, Maryland; Delaware Bay; Long Island and Long Island Sound; and Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, North Carolina.

Read more here.

Update 5:03 a.m. EDT Aug. 3: Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to become a hurricane again today, the National Hurricane Center said early Monday.

In its 5 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, was about 115 miles east-southeast of Jacksonville, Florida, and 280 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was moving north at 9 mph.

Read more here.

Update 5:28 p.m. EDT Aug. 2: Tropical Storm Isaias gained a little steam just before 5 p.m. Sunday but remains just off the central Florida coast, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.

The storm is about 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, moving north-northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.

While this motion is expected to continue through the night, a turn toward the north-northeast – coupled with an increase in forward speed – is expected Monday and Tuesday.

Per the current storm track, the center of Isaias is expected to pass just to the east of the Florida east coast through tonight before moving offshore of the Georgia and southern South Carolina coasts on Monday, before moving inland over eastern North Carolina Monday night.

Update 2:00 p.m. EDT Aug. 2: Tropical Storm Isaias is just off the coast of Florida as it continues its slow move northwest, weather officials said.

The storm is about 45 miles from Vero Beach, Florida. It has slightly gained speed, moving at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

The center of the storm is expected to hit Florida’s east coast late Sunday. It will move off the coast of Georgia and through the mid-Atlantic states on Monday and Tuesday.

Update 11:05 a.m. EDT Aug. 2: A tropical storm warning has been extended along the east coast to North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said.

A tropical storm warning was issued from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina. The tropical storm warning for Lake Okeechobee and Jupiter Inlet, Florida has ended.

A tropical storm watch was also issued for North Carolina coast from north of Surf City to Duck.

The storm is still moving at 8 mph with 65 mph maximum sustained winds and is about 55 miles from Fort Pierce, Florida.

Update 8:05 a.m. EDT Aug. 2: Heavy rain continues to fall over the northwestern Bahamas as Tropical Storm Isaias bears down on the Florida coast.

The storm has continued to decrease intensity. Isaias has 65 mph maximum sustained winds and is moving northwest at 8 mph.

Officials have ended the hurricane warning for the northwestern Bahamas. Storm surge warnings have been issued for Jupiter Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida and from Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina. A tropical storm warning was issued for Lake Okeechobee and from Hallandale Beach, Florida to South Santee River, South Carolina. A tropical storm watch was also issued for north of South Santee River, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina.

Update 10:59 p.m. EDT Aug. 1: Tropical Storm Isaias continued to inch closer to the Florida coast late Saturday night as it remained under the threshold of reintensifying into a hurricane again.

According to the 11 p.m. EDT advisory by the National Hurricane Center, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The eye of the system was located 80 miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and continues to move to the northwest at 9 mph.

A hurricane warning remains in effect in Florida from Boca Raton to the Volusia-Flagler county line, and also in the northeastern Bahamas, Bimini, and the Berry Islands. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Volusia-Flagler county line north to Ponte Vedra Beach, with a tropical storm watch extending from Ponte Vedra Beach northward to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Isaias is expected to regain hurricane strength later Saturday or early Sunday, the hurricane center said.

There will be intermediate advisories issued at 2 a.m and 8 a.m. EDT Sunday by the National Hurricane Center, with a full advisory scheduled for 5 a.m. EDT.

Update 7:56 p.m. EDT Aug. 1: Isaias remained a tropical storm but was expected to regain hurricane status overnight, the National Hurricane Center said.

According to the hurricane center’s 8 p.m. EDT intermediate advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was located about 100 miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The storm’s forward speed has slowed down, moving northwest at 9 mph.

A hurricane warning is in effect in Florida from Boca Raton to the Volusia-Flagler county line, and also in the northeastern Bahamas, Bimini, and the Berry Islands. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Volusia-Flagler county line north to Ponte Vedra Beach, with a tropical storm watch extending from Ponte Vedra Beach northward to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Isaias is expected to regain hurricane strength later Saturday or early Sunday, the hurricane center said.

The next advisory by the National Hurricane Center will be issued at 11 p.m. EDT.

Update 5:01 p.m. EDT Aug. 1: Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm Saturday afternoon as it continued to move toward Florida’s east coast but is expected to regain hurricane status overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In it’s 5 p.m. EDT advisory, the hurricane center said maximum sustained winds at the center of the storm were at 70 mph.

Isaias was located about 115 miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was moving northwest at 17 mph. A hurricane warning is in effect in Florida from Boca Raton to the Volusia-Flagler county line, and also in the northeastern Bahamas. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Volusia-Flagler county line north to Ponte Vedra Beach, with a tropical storm watch extending from Ponte Vedra Beach northward to South Santee River, South Carolina.

The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 8 p.m. EDT.

Update 2 p.m. EDT Aug. 1: Hurricane Isaias continues to weaken as it approaches the coast of Florida, weather officials said.

Isaias has decreased to 75 mph maximum sustained winds and is continuing to move at 12 mph. The storm is about 140 miles from Fort Lauderdale

The storm is expected to gain strength as it moves over warm water before it reaches the state likely Sunday morning.

Update 11 a.m. EDT Aug. 1: Hurricane Isaias has slightly weakened as it made landfall on the northern part of Andros Island, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Isaias maximum sustained winds have decreased to 80 mph. The storm system is still moving at 12 mph.

Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast of Florida Saturday evening.

A tropical storm watch from the Volusia/Flagler county line to Ponte Vedre Beach is now a warning. A tropical storm watch was issued for north of Ponte Vedre Beach to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.

Update 8 a.m. EDT Aug. 1: Hurricane Isaias is expected to hit Florida’s southern coast Saturday as the eye of the storm passes eastern Andros Island, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and is moving northwest at 12 mph.

The hurricane watch for the central Bahamas has ended. Other watches and warnings for portions of the Atlantic coast of Florida were still in effect.

Update 11 p.m. EDT July 31: Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center extended a hurricane warning along Florida’s east coast as Hurricane Isaias continued to move toward the U.S. late Friday.

A hurricane watch that had been issued from Volusia/Brevard County line in Florida to the Flagler/Volusia County line has been upgraded to a hurricane warning, officials said.

At 11 p.m., forecasters said Isaias was about 135 miles south-southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas and crawling toward the northwest at 15 mph.

Update 8:10 p.m. EDT July 31: Hurricane Isaias continued to crawl toward the east coast of Florida on Friday evening.

The storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, was about 175 miles south-southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said in an 8 p.m. advisory.

Update 7:30 p.m. EDT July 31: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a State of Emergency on Friday due to the potential threat posed by Hurricane Isais.

“Hurricane Isaias is a serious storm, and current predictions indicate that it may impact parts of Virginia as early as this weekend,” Northam said Friday in a statement.

“This state of emergency will ensure localities and communities have the assistance they need to protect the safety of Virginians, particularly as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. I encourage Virginians to take all necessary precautions, monitor local weather forecasts, and stay alert.”

Update 6:30 p.m. EDT July 31: Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Friday afternoon for the counties in the path of Hurricane Isaias.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said that Isaias will likely move near the east coast of Florida on Saturday and Sunday. The storm, which was a Category 1 hurricane on Friday afternoon, is expected to strengthen and remain at hurricane-strength for several days.

Update 6:15 p.m. EDT July 31: Gov. Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency in North Carolina on Friday afternoon as Hurricane Isaias continued to swirl over the Bahamas, WSOC-TV reported.

“With the right protection and sheltering, we can keep people safe from the storm while at the same time trying to avoid making the pandemic worse,” Cooper said. “A hurricane during a pandemic is double trouble. But the state has been carefully preparing for this scenario.”

Update 5:05 p.m. EDT July 31: The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for parts of Florida’s east coast on Friday as Hurricane Isaias continued to spin over the Bahamas.

Hurricane warnings have been issued from Boca Raton to the Volusia/Brevard County line. Further south, officials issued a hurricane watch from from the Volusia/Brevard County Line to the Flagler/Volusia County Line and from south of Boca Raton to Hallendale Beach.

Forecasters said the storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, was about 195 miles south-southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas at 5 p.m. Friday.

Update 2 p.m. EDT July 31: Hurricane Isaias is becoming more organized as it continues to pour heavy rains on the Bahamas, hurricane hunters said in the latest update.

There were no warning or watch changes as the storm has maintained maximum 75 mph sustained winds and is moving northwest at 16 mph.

Update 11 a.m. EDT July 31: A hurricane watch has been issued for portions of Florida’s east coast as Hurricane Isaias continues churning over the Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update.

The hurricane watch was issued for north of Deerfield Beach north to the Volusia/Brevard county line. A tropical storm warning was issued for other parts of the state including for Lake Okeechobee and from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and is moving northwest at abour 16 mph. It is expected to continue to strengthen Friday and will remain a hurricane for a few days.

Update 8 a.m. EDT July 31: Hurricane Isaias has brought strong winds to the Turks and Caicos islands and the southeastern Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning.

In its 8 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the Category 1 storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, was about 30 miles northwest of Great Inagua and 340 miles southeast of Nassau. It was moving northwest at 17 mph.

Hurricane warnings remained in effect for the northwestern, southeastern and central Bahamas. Meanwhile, the southern and northern coastlines of the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos were under a tropical storm warning.

Read more here.

Update 5:09 a.m. EDT July 31: Isaias is expected to bring hurricane conditions over parts of the Bahamas today, the National Hurricane Center said early Friday.

In its 5 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the Category 1 storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, was about 15 miles south-southwest of Great Inagua and 385 miles southeast of Nassau. It was moving northwest at 17 mph.

Hurricane warnings remained in effect for the northwestern, southeastern and central Bahamas. Meanwhile, the southern and northern coastlines of the Dominican Republic, portions of Haiti’s coast, and Turks and Caicos were under a tropical storm warning.

Read more here.

Update 2:01 a.m. EDT July 31: Hurricane Isaias continued to move toward Great Inagua, the National Hurricane Center said early Friday.

In its 2 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the Category 1 storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, was about 45 miles southeast of Great Inagua. It was moving northwest at 18 mph.

Hurricane warnings remained in effect for the northwestern, southeastern and central Bahamas. Meanwhile, the southern and northern coastlines of the Dominican Republic, portions of Haiti’s coast, and Turks and Caicos were under a tropical storm warning.

Read more here.

Update 11:58 p.m. EDT July 30: Isaias has strengthened into a hurricane as it closes in on the southern Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said.

Just before midnight, the National Hurricane Center said the storm now packed maximum sustained winds of 80 mph as it swirled nearer to the southern Bahamas. The 2020 Atlantic season’s second-named hurricane was moving northwest at 18 mph. The eye of the storm was located about 80 miles southeast of Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas.

A tropical storm watch remained in effect on Florida’s east coast from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet, but also was extended westward to Lake Okeechobee, according to the National Hurricane Center. Additional watches or warnings may be issued for other parts of the Florida peninsula later Friday, the hurricane center said.

An intermediate advisory will be issued at 2 a.m. EDT.

Update 11:09 p.m EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias moved closer to the southeastern Bahamas late Thursday, and hurricane warnings were extended in the Bahamas. A tropical storm watch remained in effect on Florida’s east coast from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet, but also was extended westward to Lake Okeechobee, according to the National Hurricane Center.

According to the hurricane center’s 11 p.m. EDT advisory, Isaiah continued to maintain maximum sustained winds of 60 mph at its center. The storm was located about 95 miles east-southeast of Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas and is moving northwest at 18 mph.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the center of Isaias is forecast to move near or over the southeastern Bahamas overnight and will be in the central Bahamas by Friday night. The storm is projected to be near South Florida on Saturday.

Officials at the hurricane center said Isaias is forecast to become the 2020 Atlantic season’s second hurricane by Friday night.

The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 a.m. EDT Friday.

Update 7:52 p.m. EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias was moving through the Dominican Republic as interests in Florida and the Bahamas kept an eye on the Atlantic basin’s ninth-named storm of 2020.

At 8 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center said the center of Isaias was located about 70 miles west-northwest of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and about 155 miles east-southeast of Great Inagua Island in the southern Bahamas. The storm maintained its strength of 60 mph and was moving northwest at 20 mph.

The government of the Bahamas issued a hurricane warning for the northwest Bahamas.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect on Florida’s east coast from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet.

The hurricane center that the storm’s forecasted track will put it near the southeastern Bahamas by late Thursday, and near or over the northwestern Bahamas by Saturday. Isaias could be near South Florida on Saturday, the hurricane center said.

The National Hurricane Center said Isaias could become the Atlantic season’s second hurricane by Friday or Friday night.

The hurricane center will issue a complete advisory at 11 p.m. EDT.

Update 5:10 p.m. EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias continued to bring heavy rains to the Dominican Republic, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for the east coast of Florida.

In its 5 p.m. EDT advisory, the National Hurricane Center said the Atlantic season’s ninth-named storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving northwest at 20 mph. A tropical storm watch was issued on Florida’s east coast from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet.

At 5 p.m. the storm was located about 155 miles west-northwest of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and 250 miles southeast of the southeastern Bahamas.

The government of the Bahamas issued a tropical storm warning for the northwest Bahamas, and that could be upgraded to a hurricane warning later Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said Isaias could become the Atlantic season’s second hurricane by Friday or Friday night.

The hurricane center will issue an intermediate advisory at 8 p.m. EDT.

Update 2:10 p.m. EDT July 30: Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center canceled tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday afternoon as Tropical Storm Isaias continued to spin in the Caribbean Sea.

Isaias was moving northwest at 20 mph on Thursday afternoon, according to forecasters. The storm is expected to move over Hispaniola on Thursday evening.

Update 11:35 a.m. EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias is continuing to produce “life-threatening flash flooding and gusty winds over Puerto Rico” on Thursday morning, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. advisory.

Maximum sustained winds for the storm were measured at 60 mph as Isaias spun about 50 miles southwest of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, forecasters said.

A tropical storm warning issued by the government of Antigua for the British Virgin Islands has been canceled, officials said.

Update 7:59 a.m. EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias has caused “life-threatening flash flooding and high winds over Puerto Rico,” the National Hurricane Center said Thursday morning.

In its 8 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, was about 125 miles west of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and 105 miles east-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It was moving northwest at 20 mph.

Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra; the U.S. Virgin Islands; the British Virgin Islands; the southern and northern coastlines of the Dominican Republic, portions of Haiti’s northern coast; Turks and Caicos; and the southeast and central Bahamas.

Read more here.

Update 4:49 a.m. EDT July 30: Tropical Storm Isaias has brought heavy rain and high winds to Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday.

In its 5 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, was about 100 miles west-southwest of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and 160 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It was moving northwest at 21 mph.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra; the U.S. Virgin Islands; the British Virgin Islands; the southern and northern coastlines of the Dominican Republic, portions of Haiti’s northern coast; Turks and Caicos; and the southeast and central Bahamas.

Read more here.

Update 1:41 a.m. EDT July 30: Strong rain bands from Tropical Storm Isaias are approaching Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday.

In its 2 a.m. EDT advisory, the agency said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, was about 100 miles south-southwest of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and 215 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It was moving northwest at 18 mph.

Read more here.

Original report: The National Hurricane Center officially named Isaias as a tropical storm in its 11 p.m.. EDT advisory.

Isaias – pronounced “ees-ah-EE-ahs” – is the ninth storm to form in the Atlantic basin this year. It becomes the earliest storm to begin with an “I” since tropical systems took on names in 1953, CNN reported. The previous record was Aug. 7, 2005, when Irene formed in the Atlantic Ocean. There were 27 named storms in the Atlantic basin in 2005, with 15 growing into hurricanes.

Residents in Florida and Cuba are advised to monitor the progress of the storm, which could impact both areas by the weekend, according to the National Hurricna Center.

At 11 p.m., the center of the storm was located about 155 miles south of Ponce, Puerto Rico and 265 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Maximum sustained winds were recorded at 50 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, the entire northern and southern coastlines of the Dominican Republic, the northern coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas eastward to the northern border with the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 a.m. EDT, with a full advisory at 5 a.m.

Cox Media Group