Isaias nears Florida as Rachel and Simon pose storm threats

Hurricane Isaias approached Florida’s Panhandle on Friday as forecasters warned of flooding, damaging winds and possible tornadoes, while two other storms brought separate threats near California and Mexico. As of 2 p.m. EDT Friday, storm surge had reached 3.4 feet at Shell Beach in southeastern Louisiana, according to the reported measurement. A tornado watch was in effect Friday evening for the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia and southeastern Alabama. Tornado-producing thunderstorms were considered increasingly likely as Isaias neared the coast and moved inland, with hazards potentially continuing into Saturday morning. The storm was passing over a warm eddy in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday morning. The article reported that wind shear was configured to increase ventilation at the storm’s top, a condition that can contribute to strengthening. Isaias was also expected to bring flash flooding, gusty winds and severe thunderstorms within its rainbands, regardless of its intensity at landfall.