Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 3, targets Florida Panhandle

Hurricane Isaias was upgraded to a Category 3 storm Friday morning.

Communities on the U.S. Gulf Coast are preparing for Hurricane Isaias, now a Category 3 hurricane, to make landfall Friday between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect from just east of Biloxi, Mississippi, through Mobile and Pensacola to Panama City and Mexico Beach, Florida.

Many low-lying and coastal areas, particularly on the Florida Panhandle, are under evacuation orders, with communities preparing for strong winds that could near 120 mph in some locations, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Friday morning.

Storm surge warnings are also in place along the coast, with surges forecast to reach up to 9 feet from the Santa Rosa/Okaloosa County Line, Florida, to Grayton Beach, Florida.

6 minutes ago

Escambia County official warns 'Your time for prep is coming to an end very fast'

Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore warned residents of the Northwest Florida county, which includes Pensacola, that time is running out to prepare for Hurricane Isaias.

"Your time for prep is coming to an end very fast," Gilmore said during a press conference Friday morning. "Make sure by this afternoon, by noon today, you're in your safe space."

45 minutes ago

Isaias strengthens to Category 3

At 8:20 a.m. ET the National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Isaias to a major Category 3 hurricane.

"The resources have been flowing, the preparations have been extensive, and we are taking this storm very, very seriously," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said ahead of Hurricane Isaias' landfall.