Hurricane Isaias Strengthens: Prepare for Impacts Tonight Through Saturday Morning

NEW ORLEANS, LA — The National Weather Service (NWS) in New Orleans has issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement today, October 8, at 4:32 PM CDT, confirming that Hurricane Isaias has strengthened to a Category Two hurricane. Residents in Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi are urged to finalize preparations immediately as the storm approaches.

Hurricane Isaias, currently located approximately 390 miles south of New Orleans, is moving northeast at 12 mph with sustained winds of 100 mph. The most significant impacts are expected from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning.

A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Southern Jackson County, MS. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Northern Jackson County, MS. A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are active for Eastern Orleans, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, and Southern Harrison parishes/counties. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Northern Hancock and Northern Harrison counties.

Dangerous winds with potential significant impacts are forecast for coastal Mississippi east of Ocean Springs, with hazardous winds expected elsewhere in coastal Mississippi and extreme coastal Southeast Louisiana. Life-threatening storm surge with extensive impacts is anticipated for coastal areas east of Ocean Springs, MS. Locally hazardous surge with significant impacts is possible for coastal areas west of Ocean Springs, MS, and areas outside the hurricane risk reduction system in Southeast Louisiana from the Pearl River south to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Dangerous rainfall flooding with significant impacts is expected for areas east of Ocean Springs, MS, with locally hazardous rainfall flooding possible across the remainder of coastal Mississippi.

Residents must heed all official evacuation orders and ensure emergency plans are complete. Keep cell phones charged. Do not rely on 911 for immediate response if conditions are unsafe. Monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio, or local news for updates. Additional preparedness information is available at ready.gov, getagameplan.org, and redcross.org.

The next NWS local statement will be issued around 11 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.