Hurricane Isaias: Damaging Winds, Flooding Rain, Tornado Threat Continues Overnight

Residents in the eastern Florida Panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama, and southwestern Georgia must remain sheltered as Hurricane Isaias continues its path inland. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL has issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement, indicating a continued threat of damaging wind gusts, flooding rains, and tornadoes through the overnight hours into Saturday.

As of 11 PM ET, Hurricane Isaias is located about 70 miles northwest of Panama City, moving north at 20 mph with sustained winds of 90 mph. Conditions are expected to remain dangerous for several hours. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for the entire Panhandle and Big Bend coast, with life-threatening inundation of 3 to 5 feet above normally dry ground possible.

Forecast rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches, are expected, potentially causing flash flooding. A Flood Watch is in effect through Saturday evening for the Tri-State area. A heightened tornado risk is also present across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend overnight into Saturday, extending to Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia late tonight into Saturday.

Stay indoors and away from windows. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone, and flashlight ready. If a tornado warning is issued, move quickly to the safest place within your shelter. Follow all advice from local officials. The next update is expected around 5:30 AM EDT on Saturday, October 10.