Bahamas Braces for Isaias: Powerful Category 1 Storm With 90 Mph Winds
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Hurricane Isaias pummels the southern Bahamas but meteorologists no longer predict Isaias will become a Category 2 storm.
However, they do expect the storm to approach the northeast Bahamas and Florida’s east coast on Saturday as a powerful Category 1 with 90 mph winds before weakening again as it goes up the east coast.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11am update, Isaias is about 295 miles southeast of Nassau and maintaining Category 1 status with 75 mph winds. This is a slight weakening from earlier Friday morning.
Investigations found that Isaias had slightly higher pressure and more dry air and wind shear, all indications of a weakening storm.
However, the hurricane center expects Isaias to continue to strengthen over the next 24 hours as it steams through warm waters in the Bahamas.
On Thursday, while still a tropical storm, reports are that Isaias toppled trees, destroyed crops and caused widespread flooding and small landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where thousands of people were left without electricity and water.
A hurricane warning was in effect for the northwestern Bahamas, including Andros Island, New Providence, Eleuthera, Abacos Islands, Berry Islands, Grand Bahamas Island, and Bimini.
