Parts of Central Florida Placed Under Tropical Storm Warning and Watch
Saturday, August 25, 2012
By: Mark Simpson

August 25, 2012 | WMFE - The National Hurricane Center is placing Florida's east coast from the Florida Keys to Sebastian Inlet under a tropical storm warning. Meanwhile a tropical storm watch has been placed from Sebastian Inlet to Flagler Beach. That includes Volusia, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Lake Counties.

Forecasters say over the next several days the central Florida region can expect heavy rainfalls and gusty winds between 40 and 50 miles an hour as bands of Issac move closer.

On the west coast of the state the Dry Torgugas to Bonita Beach are under a hurricane warning.

Issac is expected to begin impacting the Florida Keys and passing through the islands late Sunday night and early Monday morning as a hurricane.

Some forecasters predict Issac could reach category two status as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico with winds between 96-110 miles an hour.

This morning Governor Rick Scott also declared a state of emergency as Florida prepares for impacts from Issac reaching all the way from the southernmost parts of the state to the panhandle.