Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 2 and heads for a Gulf Coast landfall late Friday, Oct. 9
Alabama, Florida and Georgia have declared states of emergency, and Florida faces its first hurricane landfall in two years.
Isaias became a Category 2 hurricane (sustained winds of 96–110 mph) on Thursday, Oct. 8, and is expected to strengthen before it reaches the Gulf Coast. Alabama, Florida and Georgia have declared states of emergency, and mandatory evacuations are in effect. What next. Landfall is expected Friday night, Oct. 9. Florida officials are urging residents to get ready for the state's first hurricane in two years.
Where mandatory evacuation orders took effect Thursday, Oct. 8:
- Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, Fla.: Zones A and B, mobile homes and low-lying areas, from noon or 12:30 p.m.
- Walton County, Fla.: Zones A, B and C, from noon
- Franklin County, Fla.: all barrier islands, Alligator Point, mobile homes and RV parks, from noon