ORLANDO, Fla. — Millions on the Gulf Coast are monitoring Hurricane Isaias, which is expected to make landfall Friday night.
4 p.m. update:
Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in the western Panhandle of Florida as Isaias pushes closer to the region.
The 4 pm update had Isaias 90 miles south of Pensacola.
Winds remain at 120 mph, keeping Isaias a Category 3 major hurricane.
A wind gust of 47 mph was reported in Navarre Beach, Florida.
3 p.m. update:
Hurricane Isaias is beginning to spread tropical storm conditions along the western Panhandle of Florida.
The 3 pm update had Isaias 125 miles south of Pensacola.
Winds remain at 120 mph, keeping Isaias a Category 3 major hurricane.
A Tornado Warning has been issued for southeastern Gulf and southwestern Franklin counties until 3:45 pm
2 p.m. update:
Hurricane Isaias remains a powerful major hurricane but is expected to weaken some as it nears landfall.
The 2 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 120 mph, making Isaias a Category 3 major hurricane.
Some weakening is forecast, but Isaias may arrive as a Cat 3 storm over the western Panhandle of Florida Friday night.
Rain bands continue to lash much of the Florida Panhandle, and the rain will increase during the afternoon and evening hours.
The tornado threat is also increasing, and a Tornado Watch has been posted for much of the Panhandle and Big Bend areas until 9 pm.
Landfall remains likely between Pensacola and Destin in the far western Panhandle during the evening or early overnight hours.
11 a.m. update:
This comes with a new and updated track
Isaias remains a Category 3 storm with winds at 120mph.
Forecasted to remain a Cat 3, with fluctuating intensity, through the afternoon.
Wind shear near the coast will play a role in how strong the storm is at landfall.
Forecasting a small drop in strength as it approaches land, but could very well make landfall as a strong Cat 2.
8:30 a.m. update:
Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a major Category 3 storm Friday morning.
Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that Isaias now has winds around 120 mph.
7:15 a.m. update:
Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to hold a news conference from Pensacola at 8:30 a.m.
The Governor will be speaking from the Escambia County Public Safety building.
Joining DeSantis will be U.S. Senator Ashley Moody and Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue.
The National Hurricane Center has also released updated tropical alert areas as Hurricane Isaias targets the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings have been expanded across the path of the storm.
Original report:
Hurricane Isaias remains a strong Category 2 hurricane Friday morning and is forecast to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane over the next 12 hours before weakening ahead of landfall, according to the latest forecast track.
The storm is expected to make landfall somewhere between Biloxi, Mississippi, and Destin, Florida, with the most likely window between 8 p.m. Friday and midnight.
Storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is possible along portions of the Gulf Coast between Mobile Bay and Fort Walton Beach, raising concerns for coastal flooding in vulnerable areas.
Strong winds are also expected to have a major impact along the coast as Isaias moves quickly toward landfall.
The storm’s forward speed could help limit overall rainfall totals, but heavy rain is still expected to bring the threat of isolated flooding.
The latest forecast calls for heavy rain Saturday, particularly along the stretch of coast between Pensacola and Panama City.
Despite the storm’s fast movement, isolated flooding remains possible in areas that receive the heaviest rainfall.
Forecasters expect Isaias to briefly strengthen into a major hurricane before quickly losing intensity through Friday evening as it approaches the coast.
Central Florida is not expected to experience any direct impacts from Hurricane Isaias, according to the current forecast.
Residents along the northern Gulf Coast should continue monitoring forecast updates as the storm approaches and remain alert for changes in the projected track, timing and potential impacts.
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