According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center (NHC) and The Press-Register, Auburn may experience heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms due to Tropical Storm Isaac making landfall some time next week.

The NHC has placed coastal Alabama and Mississippi under hurricane warnings, with hurricane conditions within the area expected in the next 24 hours.

The storm surge within these areas is expected to be 6 to 12 feet in the warning area and 4 to 7 feet in the remainder of the Florida panhandle and Apalachee Bay.

The University released a statement on Saturday, August 25 urging students to prepare for the upcoming storm by assembling an emergency kit, having a definite plan of action to protect personal safety and property, monitoring weather information using official sources such as the NWS and NHC, signing up for AU Alert and letting emergency contacts know that there may be an inclement weather situation.

The University currently does not anticipate any disruptions to classes or campus operations.

The National Hurricane Center issued a statement earlier today that urged for preparations to protect life and property to be rushed to completion.

However, the latest forecast map shows the storm moving more to the west than previously anticipated, possibly making landfall near the border between Mississippi and Louisiana.

Maps from Weather Underground and the NWS continue to indicate Isaac will make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane.

The NHC lists a Category 2 hurricane as one in which “extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage.”

Category 2 hurricanes have sustained winds of 96-110 mph and commonly uproot shallow-rooted trees, cause roof and siding damage to houses and near-total power loss that could last anywhere from several days to weeks and block multiple roads.