Hurricane Isaias has strengthened into a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters expect Isaias to keep intensifying, potentially reaching 115 miles per hour by 8 A.M. Friday, which would make it a major Category 3 hurricane. The storm is moving northeast at 12 miles per hour and is projected to turn north by midday Friday, setting up a landfall late Friday night or early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast, somewhere between Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.
While the Suncoast sits outside the direct path, our beaches are already feeling the storm’s reach. High surf and dangerous rip currents are affecting local shorelines, and boating advisories are in effect. Storm surge near and to the right of the landfall point could reach 7 feet, a reminder that surge, not wind, is often the deadliest part of a hurricane.
October storms are nothing new for longtime Gulf Coast residents, but they can catch newcomers off guard. Take a few minutes today to review your hurricane supplies, confirm your evacuation zone, and check in on neighbors who might need help preparing. And if you’re planning a beach day or a boat trip this weekend, consider a rain check.
Are you and your family storm-ready this season? Tell us what’s already in your hurricane kit in the comments.
