Conditions Deteriorating: Hurricane Isaias Approaching Gulf Coast

Residents across southwest Alabama, northwest Florida, south central Alabama, and inland southeast Mississippi are urged to take immediate action as conditions rapidly deteriorate ahead of Major Hurricane Isaias. The National Weather Service in Mobile, AL, issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement today, October 9, at 4:13 PM CDT, indicating the storm is about 120 miles south-southeast of Mobile, AL, or 90 miles south of Pensacola, FL, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, moving north at 17 mph.

A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for coastal areas including Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal. A Hurricane Warning also extends to Baldwin Inland, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia, Escambia Inland, Mobile Inland, Okaloosa Inland, and Santa Rosa Inland. A Tropical Storm Warning covers Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Crenshaw, George, Greene, Monroe, Perry, Stone, Washington, Wayne, and Wilcox counties.

Life-threatening storm surge inundation of 6 to 9 feet above normally dry ground is possible along the western Florida panhandle coast. Evacuation orders have been issued in some coastal counties; check with your local emergency management. Damaging hurricane-force winds of 74 to 110 mph, possibly stronger, are expected across coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Significant power outages, numerous downed trees, and roof damage are anticipated. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with localized amounts of 10 to 12 inches, could lead to significant flooding. There is an increasing risk of tornadoes this afternoon and tonight, particularly east of the storm's track.

Now is the time to stay indoors and away from windows. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone, and flashlight ready. If a tornado warning is issued, move to the safest place within your shelter. The next update from the NWS Mobile will be around 7 PM CDT.