Hurricane Isaac UpdatesHurricane Isaac downgraded from Category 1 hurricane to tropical storm

Published 30 August 2012

Hurricane Isaac was downgraded from a category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm. The storms winds have dropped below 70 mph, but the storm is moving very slowly throughout the gulf area at about 6 mph; at this point officials estimate that Isaac is expected to cause $1.5 billion in insured losses

Storm surge from Isaac washes beach near Biloxi, MS // Source: egynn.net

Just before 15:00 Wednesday, Hurricane Isaac was downgraded from a category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm. The storms winds have dropped below 70 mph, but the storm is moving very slowly throughout the gulf area at about 6 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued tornado warnings for Harrison County, Mississippi, including the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport. The number of residents without power has increased to 673.039 customers between Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, according to the latest numbers from power providers.

In sports news, LSU still plans to play its game against North Texas on Saturday night, in Baton Rouge.

At this point officials estimate that Isaac is expected to cause $1.5 billion in insured losses, according to CNN.

Here are the latest updates from the states:

Louisiana
— Governor Bobby Jindal has said that officials are debating about an international break of the Plaquemines Parish levee to release water. As much as twelve feet of water has been reported in homes in the area

— More than 600,000 homes and business have lost power.

— Twenty-two hospitals across the state are running on generators.

— All flights have been cancelled at New Orleans international airport

— Officials have shut off the water to LaPlace after concerns that the water from Lake Pontchrtrain could contaminate the water system.

Mississippi
— 14,000 customers are without power as of Wednesday.

— A significant number of homes have been flooded in Biloxi Bay, according to meteorologist Paul Goodlowe.

— Highway U.S. 90 has been closed in certain sections.

— Thirty-three shelters have been set up and according to reports about 2,000 people are set up throughout the shelters.

Alabama
— Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for Mobile and Baldwin counties, although a tropical storm warning remains in effect.

— Restaurants and other business have opened in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores sections of the state.

— Power is currently being restored to 6,000 homes in Mobile.