Hurricane Isaias lashed the Bahamas as it churned toward Florida, bringing new dangers to a US state suffering record deaths from an unrelenting coronavirus outbreak.
Hurricane Isaias lashed the Bahamas as it churned toward Florida, bringing new dangers to a US state suffering record deaths from an unrelenting coronavirus outbreak.
The category one storm, packing winds of up to 136km/h an hour, gained strength after sweeping over the Dominican Republic.
As of 7am this morning, it was an expansive storm, moving northwest at a speed of 23km/h mph, kicking up heavy squalls and whipping the Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos island chains with strong winds, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.
“Hurricane conditions and dangerous storm surge are expected in portions of the Bahamas through Saturday, and Hurricane Warnings are in effect,” it added.
Hurricane warnings were up across the low-lying Bahamas while parts of Florida’s east coast, including Palm Beach, the location of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, were under a hurricane watch.
Florida could start feeling the effects of the storm by late this evening, according to the NHC.
The body warned Isaias will produce heavy rains and “potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding”, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas across southern areas.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed an emergency declaration for counties on the exposed Atlantic coast.
But a slight shift westward in the storm’s trajectory raised hopes that Florida would be spared a direct hit.
Mr DeSantis said it was too early to open shelters, but urged residents to stock up on enough water, food and medicine to last a week.
Good morning- here are the Key Messages for Saturday morning, August 1 for Hurricane Isaias. The latest NHC forecast is at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB and US local weather information is at https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN. pic.twitter.com/kCWeFwqjDW
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 1, 2020
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis had relaxed strict stay-at-home orders imposed because of the coronavirus to allow residents to prepare for the hurricane.
“I beg you, do not use this period for hurricane preparation to go socializing and visiting friends or family,” Minnis said at a news conference.
“If you do not need to be out, please, please, STAY AT HOME! We are in the midst of a pandemic and if we do not act responsibly, the consequences could be dire,” he said.
It is the Bahamas’ first hurricane since Dorian, a maximum strength Category 5 storm last year that devastated two islands, pummeling them for three days.
The hurricane caused widespread damage in the Dominican Republic
Isaias caused widespread damage in Puerto Rico, downing trees and electric lines and inundating houses as it cut a path through the island.
In Florida, the concern was that if Isaias does hit, it would cause havoc at a time when hospitals are flooded with a surge of Covid-19 cases.
On Friday, the state reported another 257 deaths, setting a fourth consecutive single day state record and pushing its virus death toll to 6,843.
Florida’s coronavirus testing centers, meanwhile, were closed on Thursday and will not reopen until they get the all-clear.
The state’s emergency management division explained that the testing centers are housed in tents and could not withstand tropical force winds.
This photo of Hurricane Isaias was taken a few hours ago as it travels northwest between Cuba and the Bahamas. I hope the people in its path stay safe and I hope it doesn’t disrupt our return to Earth on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/nkyldd7NhF
— Col. Doug Hurley (@Astro_Doug) July 31, 2020
Meanwhile, the hurricane may also delay the return of US astronauts from the International Space Station.
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley blasted off from Cape Canaveral on 30 May on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon, and are supposed to splash down off the coast of Florida on Sunday afternoon.
Undocking remains scheduled for approximately 7:34pm (12.34am Irish time) tonight and splashdown at 2:42pm (7.42pm) tomorrow.
But NASA said it was keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Isaias and would make a final call about six hours prior to undocking.
NEWS: Teams from @NASA and @SpaceX remain GO with plans to bring @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken home to Earth on Sunday afternoon. We will continue to monitor weather before undocking Saturday night. Read more: https://t.co/GjXe4q6tQA
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) August 1, 2020
“We don’t control the weather, and we know we can stay up here longer — there’s more chow, and I know the space station programme has more work that we can do,” Mr Behnken told reporters in a press call.
The potential splashdown sites are in the Gulf of Mexico and along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
The mission marked the first time a crewed spaceship launched into orbit from American soil since 2011 when the Space Shuttle program ended.
It was also the first time a private company has flown to the ISS carrying astronauts.