FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Isaias Strengthens as Hurricane, Storm Surge Watches go up

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Tropical Storm Isaias is becoming better organized over the Gulf of Mexico, and the threat to the northern Gulf Coast is increasing. Hurricane Hunters found the storm strengthening Wednesday morning, with winds now up to 45 mph and the central pressure falling to 1000 millibars.Rapid strengthening is expected over the next day or two. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Isaias to become a hurricane Thursday and potentially reach 110 mph by Friday as it moves across the very warm waters of the central Gulf. Some weakening is possible before landfall, but Isaias could still reach the coast as a dangerous hurricane.A Hurricane Watch is now in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, while a Storm Surge Watch extends from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida. Isaias could approach the northern Gulf Coast Friday afternoon. Storm surge could reach 5 to 7 feet above ground in some coastal areas of Mississippi, Alabama an