Hurricane Isaias Live Updates: Gulf Coast Evacuations Underway as Storm Approaches Category 3 Strength

Rain and floods

The heaviest rains from Isaias will hit southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, so the greatest threat of flash flooding is expected there. The hardest hit areas could see 4 to 8 inches of rain, with up to 15 inches in places.

The storm’s rapid movement and dry ground will prevent flash flooding from spreading too widely across the rest of the Southeast, but significant impacts are still possible in limited areas. Most locations can expect 1 to 3 inches, but localized totals up to 5 inches are possible.

Showers will intensify along the coast on Friday, then continue to flood the region while pushing further inland through the weekend.

Friday:

SATURDAY:

Tropical storm winds of 39 mph or greater, with higher gusts, could reach southeastern Louisiana after sunrise and parts of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle Friday afternoon.

Hurricane force winds of 74 mph or greater are likely Friday night into Saturday morning where Isaias makes landfall. Numerous power outages and downed trees are possible from southeastern Mississippi to southern Alabama and the western Panhandle.

Wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph could spread inland Saturday into parts of central and northern Alabama, northern and western Georgia and northeast Mississippi. This could be enough to cause at least isolated or scattered power outages and topple some trees, particularly in Alabama.

The largest surge of dangerous and potentially life-threatening storm surge will occur near and just east of where the center of the storm makes landfall Friday evening.

Locations on the west coast of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle could experience 5 to 7 feet of flooding above normally dry ground if the flood crest occurs during high tide. This could flood roads and damage structures near the coast.

Isaias will produce at least a few tornadoes in its rain bands Friday night through Saturday. Areas east of the storm center will be most exposed to these tornadoes. Tropical tornadoes tend to be short-lived and sometimes appear without warning.

The greatest tornado threat is expected in the areas shaded darkest orange on the maps below.

Friday:

SATURDAY: