Tropical Storm Isaac

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Updated August 31, 2012

Before flying in areas impacted by Tropical Storm Isaac, NBAA encourages operators to check FAA NOTAMs, obtain a current weather briefing, and contact FBOs or airport officials at their destination for the latest conditions.

Operators should realize that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) sends out forecasts based on the current and forecast location of the “eye” or center of these storms. It is important to remember that tropical storm force winds in excess of 34 knots and 39 mph can reach distances in excess of 150 miles from the center of the storms. Additional information regarding wind strength, probability and range of those winds can be found on the NHC page for a storm.

Operators should also be aware that one of the often overlooked dangers of tropical storms or hurricanes is the associated storm surge. This is important to remember when dealing with airports on coastlines that are at or near sea level.  As an example, Key West is only 2 feet above sea level. A minimal storm surge of 3 feet puts their runway underwater. While most of these runways will drain quickly once the storm passes and the rains stop, it may take time to clean the runway(s) of all the debris, including fish, that has been deposited on airport surfaces. Storm surges are usually noted in the Public Advisory for each storm.

Track Information

The National Hurricane Center has issued its last advisory for ISAAC.  As a result, this will also be our last update.  ISAAC continues to bring heavy flooding rains as it moves north through Louisiana and Arkansas throughout Friday before beginning to swing easterly through Missouri Saturday afternoon.  The models have been a bit optimistic with ISAAC’s speed throughout this storm’s life so it’s possible that it would take even longer to make these moves.  Maximum sustained winds are round 35 mph with gusts above that, but as previously mentioned the real danger now comes from the heavy rains and the slow moving storm.

National Hurricane Center Advisory #39, issued at 2100z:

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK

AT 400 PM CDT...2100 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ISAAC WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 92.6 WEST. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH...19 KM/H. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH IS EXPECTED BY LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY

FRIDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF ISAAC WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE OVER LOUISIANA TODAY...OVER ARKANSAS ON FRIDAY...AND OVER SOUTHERN MISSOURI FRIDAY NIGHT. 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH...55 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  GRADUAL WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS...AND ISAAC IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A POST-TROPICAL REMNANT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM BY SATURDAY.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE BASED ON NEARBY SURFACE OBSERVATIONS IS 995 MB...29.38 INCHES.

For the latest National Hurricane Center Advisory visit www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Airport Information

As this is our last update for ISAAC, we will remind operators to check NOTAMs for their airport of destination if it has been in the path of ISAAC.  There may still be closures due to the flooding before ISAAC finally becomes a tropical remnant.  Additionally, it is highly recommended to check with your FBO on any field to confirm that all services are available for your trip.

Route Information

No further route closures are expected to be attributed specifically to ISAAC. Operators may always review all route constraints on either the Current Reroutes page or through the Advisory Database page.

Current Reroutes: http://www.fly.faa.gov/ratreader/jsp/index.jsp
Advisory Database: http://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/advAdvisoryForm.jsp

Latest News

Business Aviation Interests Ready to Assist in Isaac's Wake
August 31, 2012
As state and federal governments prepare to assess and mitigate damage caused by Isaac, business aviation interests, such as AERObridge, are closely monitoring their progress, ready to lend a hand if requested. "AERObridge has been integrated into the national emergency response mechanism," explained AERObridge President Marianne Stevenson. "We work with a number of groups, all operating in conjunction with each other and the federal government, each doing certain parts. We stand by to provide transportation." Read more about AERObridge.

Though downgraded, Isaac May Have Impact Into the Weekend
August 31, 2012
The remnants of Hurricane Isaac are a slow-moving rain maker, drenching airports in its path with more than 20 inches of rain in some cases. The cyclone that roared ashore in Louisiana Tuesday night could affect parts of the South, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions over the holiday weekend. “It’s always good to consider the consequences,” suggested Tim Bonnell, Sr., president of PIM Aviation Insurance in Wichita. “I would be thinking about what I can do to protect property.” Learn more about how to protect your aircraft.

Additional Operational Resources

National Hurricane Center

Current location, movement, strength and size based on the latest Hurricane Center Advisory is posted by the National Hurricane Center operated by the National Weather Service.

NBAA Airspace Alerts

NBAA Air Traffic Services (ATS) at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center also distributes email alerts about operational issues, including those related to weather. Subscribe to NBAA's Airspace Alerts now.

NBAA ATS on Twitter

Follow NBAA ATS on Twitter for airspace updates.

Humanitarian and Relief Resources

NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database

Business aviation has long served as a lifeline to people and communities in crisis. That's because business aircraft can reach locations impacted by natural disasters, when airliners and sometimes even automobiles cannot. Business aircraft can operate on short notice into outlying airports with small runways, and sometimes unpaved airstrips, or even onto roads – they are uniquely suited to providing a first response to natural disasters and other emergencies. The NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database is a list of people in the business aviation community who are part of disaster-response mobilization efforts. In the aftermath of major crises, basic information from the database is provided to organizations coordinating relief efforts. Learn more.