NHC: Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to become hurricane by Friday

Residents fill and collect sand bags before the expected arrival of Hurricane Isaias in Doral, Florida, U.S. July 31, 2020. REUTERS/Liza Feria

Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday or Friday night, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Thursday.

The storm is located about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west-northwest of Punta Cana Dominican Republic, packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles-per-hour (95 km per hour), the NHC said.

"Isaias is forecast to be near the central Bahamas Friday night and move near or over the northwest Bahamas and near South Florida on Saturday," the Miami-based weather forecaster added.

Residents fill and collect sand bags before the expected arrival of Hurricane Isaias in Doral, Florida, U.S. July 31, 2020. REUTERS/Liza Feria

(Reporting by Asha Sistla in Bengaluru;editing by Diane Craft)

Residents fill and collect sand bags before the expected arrival of Hurricane Isaias in Doral, Florida, U.S. July 31, 2020. REUTERS/Liza Feria