Hurricane Isaias Strengthens; Gulf Coast Braces for Impact

Hurricane Isaias strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season late Wednesday, prompting hurricane warnings along portions of the northern Gulf Coast. Residents are urged to prepare for potential storm surge and damaging winds.

As of the National Hurricane Center's 2 p.m. ET advisory on Thursday, Oct. 8, the center of Hurricane Isaias was located 355 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and 185 miles north of Progreso, Mexico. The storm moved east-northeast at 10 mph.

Hurricane warnings are in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay-Gulf county line on the Florida Panhandle. A tropical storm warning extends from the Jefferson-Plaquemines parish line in Louisiana to west of Ocean Springs, and east of the Bay-Gulf line to the Aucilla River in Florida. A storm surge warning covers the area from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River on the Florida Panhandle. A storm surge watch is in place from the Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

The National Hurricane Center reported in its 11 a.m. ET advisory Thursday that Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The storm's forward speed also increased slightly. Residents along the Gulf Coast should complete preparations by Friday night, when the storm is expected to approach the area.