Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Expected to Strengthen Toward Gulf Coast

Why it matters locally: Given Louisiana's location on the Gulf Coast, this developing tropical storm poses a direct threat of severe weather, potential flooding, and coastal erosion to the state's residents and infrastructure. State emergency management agencies will be closely monitoring its trajectory and preparing response efforts.

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.