Hurricane Isaias continues to intensify in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, bringing the threat of dangerous storm surge, destructive winds, flooding rain, and tornadoes.
As of Friday morning, Isaias was located about 250 miles south of the Florida Panhandle and moving north-northeast at 15 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to turn more northerly later today as it approaches the coast. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 110 mph, and the hurricane is forecast to reach major hurricane status before landfall.
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast, where hurricane-force winds and widespread power outages are expected. Tropical storm conditions are forecast to spread into coastal communities ahead of the storm's arrival.
Storm surge remains one of the greatest concerns. Water levels could rise between six and nine feet above normally dry ground from the Alabama-Florida border eastward to the Grayton Beach area, with significant coastal flooding possible throughout much of the Florida Panhandle and parts of the Big Bend region.
Heavy rainfall is also expected to create dangerous flooding conditions. The Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, southern Alabama, and southwest Georgia could see 4 to 8 inches of rain through the weekend, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches possible. Flash flooding, urban flooding, and river flooding are all concerns.
Forecasters are also warning of an increasing tornado threat beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday across portions of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and eventually the Carolinas.
Along the Gulf Coast, rough surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to develop as swells generated by Isaias move northward. Beachgoers are being urged to stay out of the water and follow guidance from local officials.
Emergency management officials continue to urge residents in affected areas to complete storm preparations, monitor local forecasts, and follow any evacuation orders that may be issued as Hurricane Isaias nears the coast.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Ocean Springs, MS to the Bay/Gulf County Line, FL
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish Line, LA to west of Ocean Springs, MS
* East of Bay/Gulf County Line to Aucilla River, FL
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Suwannee River to Yankeetown, FL