Tropical storm Isaias cuts vacations short

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Tropical Storm Isaias is developing in the Gulf , and is cutting short some fall break trips.

Tropical Storm Isaias is strengthening rapidly in the Gulf  and is causing people to have to return home early to avoid the storm. Some members of the surrounding community here in Bowling Green are worried about making it home on time before the rain catches up with them. Dr. Jerry Brotzge, KY State Climatologist and director of the KY Climate Center, spoke on the impact the tropical storm will have on Kentucky, and the best plans of action for those traveling.

“Well, for Kentucky, it is a fairly rapidly moving system. So that’s good. That does reduce the flooding potential. But especially for people returning from fall break here, at least here in Kentucky, we expect the rainfall to start through the course of the day on Saturday. The heaviest rainfall will fortunately be overnight here Saturday night into early Sunday, and then the system will start to pull out through the day on Sunday.” Says Brotzge.

Members of the community expressed on Facebook their worries about traveling home in the storm, and some mentioned the worry about heavy traffic. Others expressed their concerns about knowing when to return home before the storm hits the Gulf.

Dr. Brotzge states that even though Kentucky is expecting heavy rainfall, it will be beneficial to the area.

“Yeah. Typically, here in Kentucky are the tropical systems occur in practice, typically August, September, or October, our driest month. So the tropical systems do help provide some ample moisture for us in the fall. Usually, you know, our total annual rainfall- only about 2.5% of our total rainfall during the year is from a tropical system. But if you’re looking at a month like October, about 10% of our rainfall is typically from hurricanes or tropical systems. So again, it’s pretty welcome to get these rains. When you need it the most.” Says Brotzge.

For more updates on the expected rainfall and storms, and to know when to leave the area before Tropical Storm Isaias makes landfall, the National Hurricane Center provides updates on the storm’s path and strength.