Isaias Gathers Strength, Likely to Become Hurricane Before Landfall This Week

Tropical Storm Isaias is building momentum in the Gulf of Mexico, and climatologists say the late-season storm could become a Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 111 miles per hour.

The storm could make landfall on Friday, and if the storm continues to pick up momentum, it will be the latest arriving initial hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season since 1905, according to the Associated Press.

The National Hurricane Center issued a public advisory for a hurricane watch on Tuesday evening, and up to 10 inches of rainfall could drench some locations across the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.

The Atlantic has witnessed a calm hurricane season compared to previous years, with just nine named storms and zero hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an El Niño advisory in June with a below-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic. At the time, forecasters predicted a Super El Niño, or a weather phenomenon that occurs when temperatures are warmer than usual in the equatorial Pacific. While the Atlantic has had fewer storms, the Pacific region has been inundated with severe weather, and that has caused flooding and power outages.

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State of Emergency in 25 Florida Counties as Health Organizations Mobilize

In response to Tropical Storm Isaias, more than a third of Florida counties are under a state of emergency declaration.

The Florida Association of Community Health Centers, which represents 54 health centers across all 67 counties in Florida to support the public health needs of over 1.8 million people, said they are coordinating with local partners on tropical storm response to ensure people have access to care before, during, and after the storm.

"Despite a slow start to the hurricane season, Florida Association of Community Health Centers has kept readiness a top priority," said Gianna Van Winkle, director of emergency management programs at FACHC.

The nonprofit association has held full-scale exercises for health centers that mimic road closures and utility disruptions to strengthen emergency operations. Van Winkle said that in a recent FACHC survey, 77% of respondents shared that their preparedness felt steady, and 15% said they used the weakened storm season to become more prepared.

"Our response is strongest when we work with local partners," Van Winkle said.

Emergency Medical Supplies Pre-Positioned Across Gulf Coast

Direct Relief has a long history of hurricane response in the U.S. and is communicating with health organizations across the U.S. Gulf Coast about potential medical needs. This includes over 70 free and charitable clinics and federally qualified health centers that are equipped with emergency medical supplies.

"Our year-round investments in preparedness make it possible to move quickly when a storm threatens," said Meghan Corneal, Direct Relief's emergency response manager for the Southeastern U.S.

Corneal has helped Direct Relief work with dozens of providers and community-driven organizations in the Southeast, following Hurricane Helene. She said their medical needs range from mental health support, medications for chronic diseases, and the everyday medicine cabinet as people respond to severe weather.

"We place large emergency stockpiles of medicines and supplies with local healthcare providers ahead of hurricane season. Several of those stockpiles are in the storm's current projected path, giving providers resources already on hand to care for their communities."

The organization has also provided emergency medical supplies and alternative power sources for hurricane relief across the Atlantic, including Puerto Rico.

What Health Risks Are Associated with Hurricanes?

Severe rainstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes can have a significant impact on public health.

Natural disasters can expose the weak points of any community, affecting transportation, housing, utilities, and access to healthcare. The unpredictable storms make it difficult to prepare for specific situations, and the repercussions can be long-term, including housing affordability and stability and access to quality food and medications.

Oftentimes, these storms cause evacuations that force people with chronic conditions to leave their homes without a backup plan for medications. Strong winds and heavy rains can damage infrastructure and cause flooding or power outages. Impassable and dark streets can create barriers for people trying to access care or medications.

The extreme weather can also increase the risk of injuries as people respond to storm destruction. From a long-term lens, hurricanes have a detrimental effect on the mental health of individuals across communities because the destruction is widespread.