08-26-2012, 08:34 AM
Isaac's speed increases near Florida Straits
![[Image: map_tropprjpath09_ltst_5nhato_enus_600x405.jpg]](http://i.imwx.com/images/maps/tropical/map_tropprjpath09_ltst_5nhato_enus_600x405.jpg)
KEY WEST, Fla. – Tropical Storm Isaac gained fresh muscle Sunday as it bore down on the Florida Keys, threatening to be at or near hurricane strength approaching the island chain, and forecasters warned Isaac could grow into an extremely dangerous Category 2 hurricane on an expected track toward the northern Gulf Coast.
Isaac's drew new strength early Sunday during a warm-water crossing of the Florida Straits after causing weekend havoc in Cuba, where it downed trees and power lines, and after leaving four dead earlier in Haiti.
On Key West, locals followed time-worn preparedness rituals such as many hunkered down for a lashing Sunday from Isaac swamped the Caribbean and shuffled plans for the Republican National Convention.
"Currently Isaac is a tropical storm that's expected to become a hurricane as it reaches Key West ... then it will move into the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen" further, said Meteorologist Jessica Schauer with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
KEY WEST, Fla. – Tropical Storm Isaac gained fresh muscle Sunday as it bore down on the Florida Keys, threatening to be at or near hurricane strength approaching the island chain, and forecasters warned Isaac could grow into an extremely dangerous Category 2 hurricane on an expected track toward the northern Gulf Coast.
Isaac's drew new strength early Sunday during a warm-water crossing of the Florida Straits after causing weekend havoc in Cuba, where it downed trees and power lines, and after leaving four dead earlier in Haiti.
On Key West, locals followed time-worn preparedness rituals such as many hunkered down for a lashing Sunday from Isaac swamped the Caribbean and shuffled plans for the Republican National Convention.
"Currently Isaac is a tropical storm that's expected to become a hurricane as it reaches Key West ... then it will move into the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen" further, said Meteorologist Jessica Schauer with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.