The latest projection models for Tropical Storm Isaac predict the storm will come ashore as a Category 2 hurricane, but this morning’s diagrams show the storm moving west, which should be good news for Covington County residents.

A hurricane watch has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River eastward to Indian Pass, Fla., not including metropolitan New Orleans, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. ET update Sunday. The tropical storm warning has been extended northward and westward along the Florida west coast and the Florida Panhandle to Indian Pass.

Tropical Storm Isaac is currently heading toward the Straits of Florida, between Cuba and the United States. It is expected to be at or near hurricane strength as it reaches the Florida Keys by tonight.

The Star-News will update readers on local storm planning as the storm’s path as details become available.