Hurricane Isaias Nears Gulf Coast as Category 3 Storm
Hurricane Isaias has intensified into a Category 3 storm as it approaches the U.S. Gulf Coast. The hurricane is expected to make landfall near the Alabama-Florida border late Friday night, bringing significant storm surge, heavy rainfall, and damaging winds. As of Friday morning, the storm was located approximately 160 miles (255 kilometers) south of Pensacola, Florida, moving north-northeast at 14 mph (22 kph) with sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph). A hurricane warning is in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay-Gulf County line in Florida. Storm surge levels could reach 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters) in some areas, and rainfall totals may exceed 15 inches (38 centimeters) in coastal regions. Tornadoes are also possible overnight Friday into Saturday.
