Hurricane Isaac 2012; 'High Anxiety' in US Gulf Coast as Winds Intensify; How To Prepare For Isaac?
Hurricane Isaac 2012 has formed into a storm with 65mph winds over the warm US Gulf of Mexico. Over 50,000 residents in certain regions of Louisiana have already been evacuated on Monday. However, anxiety is high in New Orleans, and other Gulf coast regions as Hurricane Isaac 2012 advances.
"We are just on high alert. I know the anxiety level is high," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.
"The storm is somewhat uncertain. Out of an abundance of caution, we will begin to take these precautions as quickly as we can."
[A complete list from FEMA can be found here to learn about how best to prepare for Hurricane Isaac 2012.]
The sustained winds for the possible category 2 Hurricane Isaac 2012 can manage 96 to 110 mph sustained winds. The approximated tracking and timing of Tropical Storm Isaac is reportedly similar to Hurricane Katrina which crippled New Orleans and the Gulf Coast nearly 7 years ago with more than 1,800 deaths.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for the Gulf Coast region, including land between Morgan City, La., and Destin, Fl. Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana declared a state of emergency as the storm advances. Voluntary evacuations were suggested for coastal parish residents in Louisiana. However, mandatory evacuations were executed for 53,000 residents in the St. Charles Parish and the east bank of Plaquemines Parish.
Evacuations in New Orleans have not be issued yet. Buses and trains would be used to move residents if an evacuation is necessary.
"There's really nothing that's going to stop this storm from forming and from strengthening," Jindal said, according to Reuters.
Isaac is continuing to strengthen in power, but has also grown into a massive storm; its now tropical-storm conditions have the possibility of affecting 240 miles out from its center. So even regions outside the center of the storm will be hit by strong winds and extensive rainfall, and flooding is one of the core concerns for many places near Isaac's current track.
Isaac did little damage as it stormed pass Key West, Fl., with heavy rains and winds. The forecast predictions for the storm delayed the Republican National Convention that was supposed to begin Monday, Aug. 27, in Tampa.
