Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Expected to Strengthen Toward Gulf Coast

Why it matters locally: Given Mississippi's extensive coastline along the Gulf, a hurricane making landfall in this region would directly threaten coastal communities and industries, potentially causing significant damage and requiring emergency response from agencies like the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and Garden Park Medical Center.

Tropical Storm Isaias officially formed early Wednesday in the warm ocean waters located off the eastern coast of Mexico. Weather forecasters are monitoring the system. They expect Isaias to gain strength, becoming the Atlantic hurricane season's initial hurricane. Current projections indicate the storm will make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast sometime later in the week.