Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to hit US Gulf coast as hurricane early Saturday
USO•Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and is forecast to reach the southern US coast as a hurricane early Saturday. A model forecast estimates about 11.2 million barrels of oil production could be lost across the Gulf during the storm.
1. Storm forecast and risks
The National Hurricane Center expects Isaias to become a hurricane by Thursday and make landfall early Saturday, most likely along the Mississippi, Alabama or Florida Panhandle coast. It was about 500 miles south of Louisiana early Wednesday.
2. Potential disruptions
The storm is forecast to pass through areas with significant offshore oil and gas production and onshore refining facilities. Earth Science Associates’ model forecast estimates about 11.2 million barrels of oil production could be lost across the Gulf during the storm, compared with 7.1 million barrels affected by Tropical Storm Bertha in July.
3. Rainfall and flooding
Isaias could bring isolated rainfall totals of 10 inches from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and at least 3 inches farther inland. The NHC warned that flash, urban and isolated river flooding would be possible across the Southeast, while strong upper-level winds could weaken the storm before landfall.
