Hurricane Isaias Strengthens: Prepare for Landfall Tonight

MOBILE, AL — Residents across southwest Alabama, northwest Florida, south central Alabama, and inland southeast Mississippi must immediately complete preparations as Hurricane Isaias is strengthening and expected to make landfall tonight. The National Weather Service in Mobile, AL issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement at 10:42 AM CDT on October 8, urging all preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds to be rushed to completion today.

Hurricane Isaias is currently located about 500 miles south-southwest of Mobile, AL, moving east-northeast at 10 mph with sustained winds of 85 mph. It is forecast to be a dangerous hurricane at landfall, bringing a peak storm surge inundation of 5 to 7 feet above normally dry ground near and to the east of the landfall location. Evacuation orders have been issued by some coastal counties; residents should check with their local emergency management agency for current information.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for coastal and inland areas including Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. Tropical Storm Warnings are active for Butler, Clarke, Crenshaw, George, Greene, Monroe, Washington, and Wilcox counties. Tropical Storm Watches are in place for Choctaw, Perry, Stone, and Wayne counties. Expect damaging hurricane-force winds of 74 to 110 mph, numerous downed trees, power outages, and potential roof damage. Rainfall totals of 3 to 7 inches are expected, with localized amounts up to 10 inches, potentially leading to flooding and rising river levels. A favorable environment for tornadoes will develop Friday night through early Saturday morning.

Residents are advised to ensure they are in a safe location before strong winds or flooding begin. If evacuating, leave as early as possible. Do not disregard official evacuation orders. Storm surge is a leading killer; stay out of surge-prone areas. For the latest information, monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio, or local news outlets. The next update from the National Weather Service in Mobile, AL is expected around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.