Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 3 as it heads toward the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane on Friday as it moved toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, bringing the threat of dangerous storm surge, damaging winds, heavy rain and possible tornadoes to parts of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the NHC. Isaias was expected to make landfall Friday night along the coast near the Alabama-Florida state line.
In an update on Friday, the NHC said Isaias was about 125 miles south of Pensacola, Florida, and 140 miles south of Mobile, Alabama, moving north-northeast at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.
Tropical storm conditions were beginning to spread along the northern Gulf Coast. A wind gust of 43 mph was recently reported in Apalachicola, Florida, according to the NHC.
Forecasters warned that storm surge could cause dangerous coastal flooding, while heavy rainfall could lead to flooding farther inland. The storm was also expected to bring damaging winds to the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents to finalize preparations for Hurricane Isaias ahead of its expected landfall Friday evening, saying state resources were ready to respond.
The NHC said the tornado threat was expected to be greatest Friday afternoon and evening across parts of Florida’s Panhandle and southwestern Georgia. The risk could spread to more of central and southern Georgia and parts of South Carolina on Saturday.
Residents along the Gulf Coast spent Friday preparing for the storm, securing homes, filling sandbags and gathering supplies. Some coastal communities issued evacuation orders, and shelters opened for people who needed a safe place to stay.
Officials urged residents in evacuation zones to follow local instructions and leave before conditions deteriorate. Dangerous water levels and strong winds could make travel increasingly difficult as Isaias approaches land.
The storm was expected to weaken after moving inland, but forecasters warned that heavy rain and strong winds could continue affecting communities well beyond the coast. Its effects could extend into parts of Georgia, Tennessee and other areas of the Southeast.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
