ORLANDO, Fla. – Hurricane Isaias remained a Category 3 storm Friday as it tracked toward the northern Gulf Coast. The Florida Panhandle and parts of the Southeast face the threat of life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and heavy flooding rain as landfall is expected Friday night or early Saturday.
During a news conference Friday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida had assembled substantial emergency resources ahead of Hurricane Isaias’ anticipated arrival. The preparations include more than 1,000 generators, 500,000 gallons of gasoline, 1 million gallons of diesel fuel and more than 1 million bottles of water.
He encouraged residents — particularly those who are new to the area — to finish their preparations immediately.
[WATCH: Florida’s Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Isaias]
“Make sure you have what you need — gasoline, any prescriptions, nonperishable food, water — to be able to get you through this, particularly [the] 72-hour period,” DeSantis said.
The governor cautioned that the storm’s effects would not be limited to the coast. Saturated soil could worsen the flood threat across Northwest Florida. DeSantis also said the Florida National Guard had activated 5,000 Guardsmen, while more than 16,000 utility workers had been positioned to help restore power after the hurricane passes.
Latest update
In the latest update, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and was moving north-northeast at 16 mph. Hurricane Hunter aircraft detected stronger winds and a more clearly defined eye as the storm strengthened over exceptionally warm Gulf waters.
Wind shear could weaken the hurricane somewhat before landfall, but Isaias could still be a major hurricane when it reaches the coast.
Gulf Coast threat
A hurricane warning is in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida. A Storm Surge Warning stretches from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River.
Forecasters say storm surge could reach 5 to 7 feet, creating the potential for significant coastal flooding.
Heavy rainfall poses another serious danger. Southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, the Big Bend and southwest Georgia could receive 4 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated amounts reaching 15 inches. The resulting flash and river flooding could produce considerable impacts.
The threat of tornadoes is also expected to increase late Friday across coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and far southwest Georgia. That risk could continue into Saturday in parts of the Southeast.
The next intermediate advisory is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by a complete update and a new forecast cone at 5 p.m.
The News 6 Weather team keeps you informed about the day’s latest weather conditions.
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