Isaac a little stronger approaching Fla. Keys; hurricane watch for part of northern Gulf Coast
KEY WEST, Fla. - Forecasters in Miami say Tropical Storm Isaac has gained added strength and should be at or near hurricane force when it reaches the Florida Keys later in the day.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Isaac's maximum sustained winds had strengthened some to 65 mph (100 kph). It said more strengthening is expected in the next 48 hours.
At 5 a.m. EDT, the storm was centred about 205 miles (330 kilometres) east-southeast of Key West and moving to the northwest at 18 mph (30 kph), the centre reported.
Forecasters say a hurricane watch has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River eastward to Indian Pass, Fla., not including the New Orleans metro area. A hurricane warning remains in effect for areas including the Florida Keys.
