Tropical Storm Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf.
The National Hurricane Center pegged the storm's winds at 65 miles per hour as it moved east-northeast at 8 miles per hour.
Forecasters say the storm could become a hurricane by Thursday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, storm surge, and the potential for flooding and tornadoes.
Isaias is expected to approach the northern Gulf Coast on Friday, but the exact path is still unclear. Recent track updates have nudged the storm's path slightly east.
A tropical storm force watch is up from the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line to west of Bay St. Louis. A hurricane watch extends east from Bay St. Louis to Indian Pass, Florida.
The NHC also issued a storm surge watch from the mouth of the Mississippi River eastward to Yankeetown, Florida.