Hurricane Isaias slams Bahamas, tracking toward North Carolina

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Forecasters have declared a hurricane watch for parts of the Florida coastline as Hurricane Isaias drenches the Bahamas on a track for the U.S. East Coast.

Officials in Florida say they’re closing beaches, marinas and parks in Miami-Dade County beginning Friday night.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez says the county has 20 evacuation centers on standby that could be set up with COVID-19 safety measures.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph Friday morning and it was expected to remain a hurricane for the next few days.

Get the latest tropical forecast here.