Hurricane Isaias weakened on Saturday to a tropical storm as it hit the Bahamas and headed towards Florida. However, the storm might strengthen as it approaches the Sunshine State, as per Fox News. 

The local authorities warned residents to prepare for a weather event amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On The Associated Press, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that the government wants people to remain vigilant. 

(Photo : Joe Raedle)
Hurricane Isaias Brushes Along Florida's Eastern Coast MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Storm clouds are seen over the city as Hurricane Isaias approaches the east coast of Florida on August 01, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The hurricane is expected to brush past the east coast of Florida within the next 24 hours.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour on Saturday afternoon. According to the U.S National Hurricane Center, the storm's strength has declined earlier in the day. As Isaias passes over warmer waters, it is expected to regain its momentum. 

The southeast coast of Florida will have the center of the storm on Sunday morning and remain until Monday before it dissipates. In preparation for the severe weather, the Florida officials closed parks, beaches, and coronavirus testing sites as per the AP report. 

DeSantis said that 12 counties adapted states of emergency, but no states have issued immediate evacuation orders. According to The AP, DeSantis also said hospitals would not be evacuated.

"Don't be fooled by the downgrade," Desantis added that they think Isaias will be upgraded back to a hurricane later in the evening. 

Due to the country's worst outbreaks, COVID-19, Florida's well-honed hurricane response upended. According to Reuters, the center of the storm was projected to move to the east coast of Florida from Saturday to Sunday night. Isaias will bring a storm surge as high as 4 feet from Jupiter Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach. Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency on the Atlantic coast for a dozen counties. The decision of the Governor makes it easier to mobilize resources as per Reuters.

Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade Mayor, told residents on Friday to take all necessary precautions to prepare for the storm's arrival. The CBS 4 reported that Gimenez urged locals to have a contingency plan in any case Isaias unexpectedly became more intense. Also, there are twenty evacuation centers available if needed, and the officials will continue keeping track of Isaias' path, according to Gimenez.

"There's still a lot of uncertainty about the track, and we will continue to issue updates," he said. "So to reiterate, we have 20 evacuation centers on standby. They're not open. Should we need to open them, and we will have them set up with COVID-19 safety measures? It's too early to tell yet, so we are closely monitoring the situation."

Governor of Virginia, as well as North Carolina's both, declared a state of emergency through Isaias is expected to hit North Carolina on Monday, according to Gov.Roy Cooper, during Friday's news conference.

Meanwhile, Virginia Gov.Ralph Northam said that the storm is expected to affect the coastal areas of the state, so to take precautions, he activated the state of emergency response.

Isaias' previous effect caused at least two deaths in the Dominican Republic, flooded streets, knocked the power out of thousands of homes and businesses, and tore down trees in Puerto Rico according to media reports.

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