11 p.m. update: Isaac strengthening, aims for the Keys

Includes information from the 11 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center:

At 11 p.m. Saturday, Isaac was strengthening, its center 340 miles east-southeast of Key West with sustained winds of 60 mph. It was moving northwest at 17 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The center of the storm was expected to move near or over the Florida Keys -- at or near hurricane strength -- by Sunday. Isaac is forecast to move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Monday.

Manatee County officials declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon after the county fell under a tropical storm watch as  Isaac continues to make its way through the Florida Straits, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Read more here.

Schools in both Manatee and Sarasota counties will be closed Monday. Organizers have postponed Mondays events at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.


Tropical winds should be present in Manatee County by 7 p.m. Sunday and continue through 5 a.m. Tuesday. Manatee County is expected to get five to eight inches of rain Sunday and Monday, officials said.