Tropical Storm Isaias forms in Gulf and threatens US coast

Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico off eastern Mexico, according to the New York Post and CNN. Forecasters expect the system to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall on the United States Gulf Coast later this week. [1][2][9][11]

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center stated that Isaias was located about 285 miles west of Progreso, Mexico, and 580 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, the New York Post reported. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour and was moving east-northeast at 8 miles per hour. [1]

The Southeastern Conference and sports news outlets are monitoring the storm ahead of a scheduled college football game between Georgia and Alabama on Saturday, according to CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports. Expected rain and travel conditions may affect plans for the game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. [3][5][6]

The Gulf Coast of the United States includes the shorelines of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. News outlets report that Isaias is expected to be the first landfalling Atlantic hurricane of the current season. [1][9][11][13]