Tropical Storm Isaac is moving into Florida today and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend.
The National Hurricane Center says Isaac will be at or near hurricane strength at this time and it is possible to see some damage from Isaac in the Miami area, Tampa Bay, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The storm is also moving northeast and into the Florida Panhandle.
The NHC says there is a 50% chance that the storm will cross into Florida by Saturday.
Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Florida Coastal Region, Miami-Dade County and Broward County areaThis hurricane warning has been issued for portions of Florida’s coastal region and is in place for Miami-St. Petersburg, Tampa-St., Palm Beach-St, Orlando-St and St. Petersburg-Clearwater counties.
It is a 90% chance of a sustained tropical storm with sustained winds up to 65 mph.
Isaac is expected at this point to strengthen and is moving northwest at 12 mph, with a track that could move east into the Gulf of Mexico.
Isaac’s impact is expected early next week.
Miami-dade County has declared a state of emergency for parts, with additional counties in South Florida, Florida Hills and Miami-Fort Lauderdale also under an emergency declaration.
A total of more than 40,000 homes have been ordered to be evacuated in Miami-Pompano Beach and parts of Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale, officials said.
Residents of the city of West Palm Beach have been told to stay in their homes and are being urged to avoid the area until the storm passes.
Residents are being asked to avoid driving, biking or taking public transportation to help with their evacuation preparations.
The Florida Keys have also been ordered evacuated, officials say.
Florida is also under a state-wide tropical storm watch with high winds, rain and hail possible.
