Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 2 in the northern Gulf

CENTRAL FLA. — Hurricane Isaias has continued to strengthen in the northern Gulf and is now forecast to become a major hurricane.

The 11 pm advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 105 mph, making Isaias a Category 2 storm.

Hurricane Warnings continue from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida.

Tropical Storm Warnings are posted from southern Louisiana to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and from the Bay/Gulf County Line to the Aucilla River, Florida.

Storm surge remains a major concern with Isaias, and a Storm Surge Warning is posted from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River in Florida.

Storm surge of 5-7 feet is possible along much of the northern Gulf Friday night into early Saturday.

Isaias is now expected to become a Category 3 major hurricane on Friday morning, then weaken as it approaches landfall.

The storm continues moving northeast and will quickly swing north on Friday.

Landfall will likely be between Mobile, Alabama, and Destin, Florida, on Friday night or very early Saturday morning.

Hurricane conditions will likely begin Friday night into early Saturday in the warning areas, with tropical storm conditions beginning elsewhere on Friday.

Rainfall of 4-8 inches is possible with Isaias along the northern Gulf coast, with isolated 15-inch amounts possible across the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend.

This could lead to considerable flash flooding in parts of the region.

Tornadoes will also be a concern as Isaias approaches.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible east of the center, including much of the Florida Panhandle and potentially the Big Bend area, Friday night into Saturday.