CAMBRIDGE — Public safety officials and residents of the Eastern Shore are casting a wary eye southwards as Tropical Storm Isaias prepares to move up the coast. Probability cones have for days been plotted narrow and straight along the coast, forecasting high winds and 3-5 inches of rain on Delmarva.

The National Hurricane Center continues to issue advisories on Tropical Storm Isaias, located between the Northwest Bahamas and southeastern Florida on Sunday morning.

“We can expect to see impacts from this storm starting as early as Monday evening into Tuesday evening. The primary threat of this storm is still expected to be heavy rainfall with the potential to lead to flash flooding,” a notice from Talbot County Emergency Services said.

“Talbot County Emergency Services is continuing to monitor this storm closely with our local partners, state partners, and the National Weather Service. We will continue to keep you updated throughout the next few days. While staying tuned in is important, it is also important to take this time to prepare,” the message continued. “Updating emergency supply kits and looking over emergency plans with your family are ways you can start to prepare for hazardous weather.”

A message from the National Hurricane Center said on Sunday, “Minor to isolated moderate river flooding is possible across portions of the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic this week. Tropical story watches are in effect for portions of the coast of South and North Caroline. Additional watches and warnings will likely be issued later today as Isaias is expected to move northward near or over the southeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts over the next couple of days.”

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) encourages all Marylanders to monitor Hurricane Isaias and make plans now in case the storm impacts the Mid-Atlantic region. Forecasters remain uncertain about the exact track of the storm, but some models show it will affect parts of Maryland as soon as Monday evening as it moves northward. The range of hazards that could affect Maryland is still broad — ranging from little impact, to Isaias bringing flooding rains and tropical storm force winds to central and eastern Maryland.
“Now is the time to make sure you are ready for possible effects from Hurricane Isaias,” MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland said. “The COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of complexity during a tropical storm or hurricane, and that means there may be changes to normal evacuation and sheltering plans.”

For information on preparations including how to build an emergency kit or to identify an evacuation zone, visit news.maryland.gov.mema.
Officials across Delmarva are also monitoring the situation.
“Delawareans, especially along coastal areas, should know their evacuation route in case it is required,” a statement from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency said. “You can see the evacuation routes on the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) website at deldot.maps.arcgis.com. Monitor the situation for evacuation orders from local and state emergency agencies to determine if and when to evacuate. Make sure to have a full tank of gas. Options are limited in some sections of Route 1, and you don’t want to stop unless necessary.”

Elsewhere over the Atlantic basin on this Sunday morning, a tropical wave is located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands. The associated showers and thunderstorms have changed little in organization this morning. However, environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for additional development during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form by the middle of the week.

It has a low (30 percent) chance of formation during the next 48 hours and a medium (60 percent) chance during the next five days. This system is forecast to turn northwestward and then northward over the western Atlantic, passing north of the Leeward Islands on Monday and Tuesday.
To receive the latest updates, visit hurricanes.gov.