At 2 p.m., the center of tropical storm Isaias was located at 18.9 degrees north latitude, and 69.8 degrees west longitude, or 45 km northeast of Santo Domingo and 267 km south east of Cap-Haitien. Isaias is moving northwest at nearly 20 mph (31 km/h).

According to forecasts, Isaias will continue to move over Hispaniola this evening. Maximum sustained winds are near 95 km/h with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 310 miles (500 km) mainly north of the center.

Tropical storm conditions will continue to spread to parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the warning zone.

Compared to the dangerous sea conditions in northern Haiti, the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) in conjunction with Hydro-Meteorological of Haiti (UHM), announces the temporary ban on all cabotage operations on the northern coastal regions and the Gulf of Gonâve.

According to the current trajectory, the northern departments of Haiti should be the most affected by the heavy rains.

Brigadiers and municipal Civil Protection committees are also mobilized to help the population. Jerry Chandler, the Director General of the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) is currently in the North of Haiti to strengthen the departmental coordinations to give a better response to the passage of the Tropical storm Isaias.

SL/ HaitiLibre