ORLANDO, Fla. – Isaias remains Category 3 hurricane on Friday as it moves toward the northern Gulf Coast. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rain are expected across the Florida Panhandle and parts of the Southeast as landfall approaches Friday night or early Saturday.
In a news conference Friday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has marshaled an extensive array of resources ahead of Hurricane Isaias’ expected landfall, including more than 1,000 generators, half a million gallons of gasoline, 1 million gallons of diesel and more than 1 million bottles of water.
He urged residents — especially those new to the region — to prepare now.
[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 also warned that storm impacts would extend well beyond the coastline, with saturated ground increasing flood risk across Northwest Florida. He added that the Florida National Guard has mobilized 5,000 Guardsmen, and more than 16,000 linemen are pre-positioned for power restoration efforts following the storm.
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Latest update
As of the latest update, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and was moving north-northeast at 16 mph. Hurricane Hunter aircraft have reported stronger winds and a better-defined eye as the storm intensifies over very warm Gulf waters.
Although wind shear could cause some weakening before landfall, Isaias is could potentially remain a major hurricane as it reaches the coast.
Gulf Coast threat
A hurricane warning remains in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida. A Storm Surge Warning extends from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River.
Storm surge could reach 5 to 7 feet, with significant coastal flooding possible.
Heavy rain is another major concern. 4 to 8 inches of rain are expected across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, the Big Bend and southwest Georgia, with isolated totals up to 15 inches possible. Flash flooding and river flooding could cause considerable impacts.
A tornado threat is also expected to develop late today across coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and far southwest Georgia, continuing into Saturday across parts of the Southeast.
The next intermediate advisory will be at 2:00 p.m., with a full update and new cone at 5 p.m.
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