Isaac Upgrades to Hurricane, Heads Toward Canada

Saturday, September 30, 2006

MIAMI —  Isaac strengthened into the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season Saturday, and was headed for Canada, forecasters said.

At 11 a.m. EDT, the ninth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season had top sustained winds near 75 mph, up from 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The storm was centered about 370 miles east-southeast of Bermuda and moving northwest near 7 mph. A turn to the north-northwest was expected by Sunday.

Hurricane force winds extend 40 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph extended up to 125 miles from Isaac's center.

Forecasters said Isaac should stay to the east of Bermuda, but the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland could feel the outer edges of the storm, forecasters said.

Isaac developed into a tropical storm Thursday.

The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

The news services had said this about Isaac:

MIAMI —  Tropical Storm Isaac formed Thursday in the central Atlantic, but was not expected to become a hurricane or directly threaten land, forecasters said.

2006 Atlantic Hurricane Names	name meanings
Alberto	Noble, Bright
Beryl	Pale Green Gem
Chris	Anointed, Follower of Christ
Debby	Honey Bee
Ernesto	Earnest, Sincere
Florence	Flourishing, Blooming, Prosperous
Gordon	Noble, Proud
Helene	Torch
Isaac	He Who Laughs
Joyce	Lord
Kirk	From the Church
Leslie	Small Meadow	Garden by the Pool
Michael	Who is Like God
Nadine	Hope
Oscar	Deer Lover
Patty	Noble
Rafael	God Has Healed
Sandy	Protector of Mankind
Tony	Worthy of Praise
Valerie	Strength, Valor
William	Desiring Protector

Blessings,

Tony Ellsworth