Convention Storm Watch

The predicted track for Isaac has shifted west, somewhat lessening the danger to the Tampa Bay area. As attention focuses on north Florida, it appears that the Florida Keys will not be evacuated.

A tropical-storm watch was posted at 5 p.m. Friday for all the Florida Keys as Tropical Storm Isaac continued its northwest march through the Caribbean toward Florida. No evacuation, for visitors or tourists or residents, is expected. The National Hurricane Center also posted storm watches -- meaning winds of at least 39 mph are possible within 48 hours -- for the state's east coast up to Jupiter, and on the west coast to Bonita Springs. All that was known for certain Friday is that Isaac -- expected to arrive near the Florida Keys late Sunday to early Monday as a tropical storm of indeterminate strength -- likely will drop several inches of rain, stir high seas and possibly inflict some damage from winds of 45 mph with gusts that may exceed 55 mph.