Hurricane Tracker Shows Isaias 90 Miles South of Pensacola With 115 mph Winds
Hurricane Isaias, a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 mph, is forecast to make landfall along Florida's western Panhandle near Pensacola between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET on Friday night, bringing destructive winds, power outages, storm surge and flash flooding risks, according to the hurricane tracker.
Isaias Approaches Florida Panhandle
The National Hurricane Center reported that Isaias was located about 90 miles south of Pensacola at 4 p.m. CDT, moving north at 17 mph with conditions deteriorating quickly along the northern Gulf Coast. [3] The hurricane tracker placed the storm on a path that positioned the western Florida Panhandle, particularly areas near Pensacola and the coast toward Fort Walton Beach, in the direct line of impact. [3] Forecasters noted that the exact point of landfall could still shift slightly as the system neared the coast. [3] Dangerous conditions were expected to arrive before the center crossed the shoreline, leaving residents limited time to finish preparations. [3] Isaias maintained Category 3 intensity with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph at the time of the advisory. [3]
Destructive Winds and Power Outages
More than 110,000 customers in Florida and 75,000 in Alabama had already lost power as the storm approached, with an Extreme Wind Warning issued for parts of the Florida Panhandle. [3] The National Weather Service issued the Extreme Wind Warning to alert residents that hurricane-force winds were imminent in affected areas. [3] One resident update shared that power had gone out and wind was blowing intensely as the system neared. [3] The hurricane tracker continued to show the storm's northward movement at 17 mph, which would spread damaging winds across a widening area. [3] Officials positioned emergency teams and supplies in advance to respond to the growing outages and wind damage. [3]
Flooding Threats in Florida and Georgia
Flash Flood Warnings were active for southwestern Holmes County and Walton County in the Florida Panhandle until 11:30 p.m. CDT, with Doppler radar indicating thunderstorms producing heavy rain that made flash flooding ongoing or imminent. [1] The Flood Warning for the Satilla River at Atkinson in Brantley County, Georgia, continued with minor flooding occurring and forecast to persist until further notice. [2] Moderate flooding was forecast for the Shoal River near Mossy Head in Walton County from late that night through Sunday morning, with impacts including the Hinote Road Bridge beginning to flood at certain stages. [5] These warnings highlighted life-threatening flash flooding risks in the warned Florida counties and ongoing minor flooding along the Georgia river. [1] [2]
Storm Surge, Tornadoes and Emergency Measures
The storm threatened a life-threatening storm surge of 5 to 9 feet in coastal areas. [3] Tornadoes were listed among additional concerns as Isaias moved inland. [3] Florida, Alabama and Georgia declared states of emergency, and evacuation orders were in effect in vulnerable coastal zones. [3] Officials urged residents to shelter immediately in secure locations, stay away from windows and follow local instructions rather than waiting for conditions to worsen. [3] The hurricane tracker updates emphasized that the system would remain dangerous even if it weakened slightly before landfall. [3]
Separate Flash Flood Warning in Guam
A separate Flash Flood Warning was extended for southern Guam until 12:30 p.m. ChST after Doppler radar and automated rain gauges showed heavy rain producing between 2 and 4 inches of accumulation, with flash flooding ongoing or expected shortly. [4] The warning covered impacts such as flooding of small creeks, streams and urban areas. [4]
What to watch next is continued updates from the National Hurricane Center on the storm's path and intensity after landfall, along with any extensions or new river flood statements for the affected counties in Florida and Georgia.
