Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi order evacuations and declare emergencies; Gulf oil production nearly two thirds shut in
I report that Hurricane Isaias is approaching the northern Gulf Coast as a strong Category 2 storm and is expected to make landfall tonight or early Saturday. I note that storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is forecast from Dauphin Island to Indian Pass and 4 to 6 feet in Mobile Bay, with 4 to 8 inches of rain and localized totals to 15 inches. I warn that the tornado threat begins this evening and that strong winds, flooding, and downed power lines are likely. I describe mandatory and voluntary evacuations, a statewide emergency declaration in multiple states, and the mobilization of thousands of…
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