Isaac Ripping its Way Through Caribbean

Tropical Storm Isaac pushed its way into Cuba on Saturday after sweeping across Haiti's southern peninsula, where it caused flooding and at least three deaths, adding to the misery of a poor nation still trying to recover from the terrible 2010 earthquake.

Isaac's center made landfall just before midday near the far-eastern tip of Cuba, downing trees and power lines, and the storm's surge flooded the seaside Malecon in the picturesque city of Baracoa.

Forecasters said Isaac poses a threat to Florida Monday and Tuesday, just as the Republican Party gathers for its national convention in Tampa. It could eventually hit the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of nearly 100 mph.

Isaac Heading for Gulf

National Hurricane Center update,  the forecast track for Isaac continued a shift to the west as it approached Hispaniola late Thursday.

Isaac was about 145 miles south-southeast of the Dominican Republic moving west to northwest at 18 mph. Its maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Haiti while tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas.

The center of Isaac will be near or over Hispaniola on Friday and move near or over southeastern Cuba on Saturday.

After Isaac passes over Hispaniola and Cuba, it is expected to weaken, and then restrengthen over the Gulf of Mexico. As of right now, Monday should be the worst weather day for residents in South Florida. There’s only a 25%-35% probability that South Floridians will feel tropical storm-force winds or rain.

Tropical Storm Isaac Forming

There is an 80 percent chance Tropical Storm Isaac will have formed near the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea by Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It's still too early to predict the storm's track, but weather-watching enthusiasts are discussing the possibility that it could make a turn toward the north and impact the East Coast.