Hurricane Isaias Strengthens As It Heads Toward US Gulf Coast

Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a Category 2 storm in the Gulf of Mexico as it moved toward Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, with landfall expected overnight Friday into Saturday. The National Hurricane Center urged residents to finish emergency preparations as hurricane and storm surge warnings covered parts of the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Isaias headed for the U.S. Gulf Coast with 80 mph winds, prompting evacuations, school closures and state emergencies in Florida and Alabama ahead of a likely landfall late Friday or early Saturday. Forecasters warned of 5-7 feet of storm surge, up to 10 inches of rain, tornadoes and long power outages across the northern Gulf region.

Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf of Mexico and could become the Atlantic season’s first hurricane as it moves toward the northern U.S. Gulf Coast by Friday. Forecasters urged people from Louisiana to northwest Florida to prepare, as the storm had 45 mph winds and was tracking south of the Mississippi River.

Tropical Storm Isaias formed off eastern Mexico and was forecast to strengthen into the Atlantic season’s first hurricane before threatening the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday. Forecasters warned of dangerous wind, storm surge and heavy rain from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 25 counties.