Tropical Storm Isaac heading towards Haiti

I just got an email message from the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince about the impending storm in Haiti.  It was not what I wanted to hear, but I was glad I did, given that I am a little out of touch with the news this week up here in the New Hampshire mountains.  I went, of course, to weather.com - where else? - to find a little more.  Look at that red track...  I am praying that it head significantly south or north, whichever way would hit less land. 


I do not like seeing that red track over Haiti.  We don't need that.

Here is the beginning of the message from the Embassy: 

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens
August 22, 2012

This urgent message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Haiti that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Haiti-Meteorological Service have issued red alerts for Tropical Storm Isaac, which is predicted to strengthen to a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane and impact Haiti with hurricane force winds and large-scale flooding, likely within the next 48 hours. The National Hurricane Center predicts 8 to 12 inches of rain on average due to the storm in Haiti, with isolated areas receiving up to 20 inches of rain, increasing danger of flooding and mudslides.

The center of Tropical Storm Isaac should move through the Leeward Islands on the evening of Wednesday August 22, and pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. It is forecast that the storm may become a hurricane by Thursday evening and approach the Dominican Republic and Haiti Thursday night/ Friday morning. Currently, Isaac is at tropical storm force, with maximum sustained winds are near 45 miles per hour with higher gusts. U.S. citizens in Haiti should monitor the progress of Isaac by visiting: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ .

I ask your prayers for all affected.  Friends in Haiti, please stay safe.