Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) —  The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival has been canceled. Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. Organizers say the safety of visitors, vendors, and volunteers was the top priority. The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, which presents the festival, made the decision after consulting local emergency officials.

Coastal Alabama Business Chamber President Greg Alexander met with City of Gulf Shores Emergency Management officials early that morning. "We made every attempt to conduct the festival this year, but due to the projection of high winds, heavy surf and rain over the weekend, it really left us no choice but to cancel this year's event," Alexander said.

Overnight forecast changes helped finalize the decision. Alexander said organizers had planned to wait for updated projections before deciding. "After the 4 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, it left us no choice but to cancel the event," he said.

Baldwin County outlined the key concerns related to Isaias in a release issued that morning:

• Isaias is likely to be a significant hurricane at landfall. Confidence is increasing for major impacts to coastal Alabama and northwest Florida.
• Earliest reasonable arrival of tropical storm force winds: Friday morning and afternoon, with the most likely onset Friday evening.
• Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches: Expected to be issued later today.
• Major concerns: High winds, high surf, rip currents, storm surge, flash flooding, and tornadoes. Heavy rainfall remains a concern, especially after last weekend's flooding.

Shrimp Festival Chairman Rob Barnas expressed disappointment but said the call was necessary. "We were really looking forward to a great weekend with shrimp, music, hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors," Barnas said. "But with Isaias predicted to make landfall in our immediate area, the safety of each of these volunteers, visitors and vendors was our top priority."

Updates will be posted on the festival's social media pages and at myshrimpfest.com as more information becomes available.