Updated at 6:15 p.m. ET
Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to pick up strength and become a hurricane as it approaches Florida on Saturday.
The National Hurricane Center said that as of 5 p.m. ET Thursday, the storm continues to slam the Dominican Republic with heavy rainfall and strong winds. It is about 155 miles west-northwest of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and about 250 miles southeast of the southeastern Bahamas.
Isaias is heading northwest, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph. To be deemed a hurricane, its sustained winds would need to reach at least 74 mph.
The storm's center is forecast to move near parts of the Bahamas late Thursday through Friday, and near South Florida on Saturday. The hurricane center said "strengthening is forecast during the next day or so," with Isaias predicted to become a hurricane on Friday or Friday night.
The agency said that so far a tropical storm watch has been issued for the east coast of Florida, from Ocean Reef northward to Sebastian Inlet.
It added that storm surge watches may be required along parts of the Florida peninsula on Thursday night or early Friday if the forecast track shifts closer to the coast.
The center's latest advisory warned of the risk of winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge this weekend along Florida's east coast and spreading northward along the U.S. East Coast through early next week.
"The details of the track and intensity forecast remain uncertain, and it is too soon to determine the magnitude and location of these potential impacts, but interests along the entire U.S. East Coast should monitor the progress of Isaias and updates to the forecast," it said.
In a briefing on Thursday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that while the storm remains off shore, it is "an evolving situation." He urged residents to make sure they had safety plans as well as seven days' worth of food, water and medicine.
The National Hurricane Center said that in parts of the central and northwest Bahamas "preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."
Isaias has already drenched Puerto Rico, and will drop 4 to 8 inches of rain on the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, northern Haiti and Turks and Caicos, the National Weather Service said, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches. Cuba is also expected to get 1 to 2 inches of rain, with up to 4 in some areas.
The weather service said heavy rains may begin to affect eastern Florida over the weekend.
"This rain could result in isolated flash and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas," it said.
Isaias is projecting tropical-storm-force winds outward for up to 310 miles a sign of rapid growth since Wednesday when it became the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season. The National Weather Service categorizes tropical storm winds as ranging from 39 mph to 73 mph (sustained) at surface level.
Concerns about the storm's impact on Florida prompted officials to suspend coronavirus testing at state facilities for several days, from Friday through at least Tuesday.
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Tropical Storm Isaias Forecast To Become A Hurricane As It Heads Toward Florida - Red River Radio
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