Hurricane Isaias Threatens Birmingham with Damaging 80 MPH Wind Gusts and Prolonged Power Outages (LIVE Video)

Hurricane Isaias is forecast to unleash damaging wind gusts as far inland as Birmingham, Alabama, threatening widespread power outages hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast as the storm races northward.

“Damaging wind gusts from Isaias will extend well inland into Alabama, increasing the risk of downed trees and widespread power outages far from the coast. Two factors are increasing that threat: the storm’s rapid forward motion and its expanding wind field as it approaches the coast,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “Isaias is hitting the Gulf Coast later in the hurricane season, when changing atmospheric conditions can make storms move faster and push damaging winds farther inland than during the summer months.

“Isaias is expected to move northward at about 20 mph, much faster than many tropical storms that moved inland across the Southeast earlier in the hurricane season,” Porter explained. “AccuWeather hurricane experts have observed this pattern over decades: stronger atmospheric steering winds in October often cause tropical storms and hurricanes to move faster than they do in July or August.”

What AccuWeather Expert Meteorologists Are Tracking

• 60-80 mph wind gusts: Possibly as far north as Brimingham. Alabama, with the potential for downed trees, structural damage and widespread power outages
• 40-60 mph wind gusts: Expected across much of the Southeast, including parts of the Appalachians, where localized power outages are possible
• Prolonged power outages: Damaged power lines, fallen trees and blocked roads could delay restoration efforts in some communities

As Isaias moves inland, its forward motion could enhance wind speeds, particularly north and east of the storm’s track, where winds circulating around the hurricane combine with its movement. This could result in stronger gusts extending well beyond the immediate landfall area.

“The faster forward motion of the storm results in higher wind speeds, especially in gusts, north and east of the storm’s track, as in that part of the storm as wind generated by the storm combine with the motion of the storm to accelerate winds. Coupled with the expanding wind field, this is why AccuWeather meteorologists have emphasized that the damaging wind threat will reach well inland, such as the risk for 60 to 80 mph wind gusts as far north as Birmingham, Alabama. People and businesses should prepare for wind damage and power outages, some extended, even if they live far from the coast in Alabama. Wind gusts of 40-60 mph will be more common across much of the Southeast, including the Appalachians where localized power outages may occur,” Porter added.