Hurricane Isaias has made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category‑2 storm with 110‑mph winds, ushering in a wave of emergency measures across the Gulf Coast.
State officials in Florida, Alabama and Georgia have each declared states of emergency as forecasts warn of up to 9 feet of storm surge in some coastal areas. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for many residents, with Florida Senator Rick Scott urging, "DO NOT WAIT! Get out NOW!".
The National Hurricane Center says the storm’s force extends 35 miles from its center, while tropical‑storm winds reach as far as 205 miles. Power outages have already left 350,000 people in Florida and 170,000 in Alabama without electricity.
Meteorologist Melissa Watson advises residents to maintain multiple alerts for tornadoes and surge and to seek higher ground if near the coast. "We want people to remain inside and safe while the hurricane moves through," she said.
Local residents, like John Guoth of Navarre, are staying put, securing boats and vehicles. "We have battened down everything that can fly, and everything else is secured," he told reporters.
WAFLE HOUSE chains on the coast have begun closing locations within the storm’s projected path, while President Donald Trump has postponed a football event in Tuscaloosa in favor of a rally in Tennessee.
River crossings and coastal roads are being monitored as extra surfers and high tides from Tropical Storm Rachel continue to threaten neighboring California. Meanwhile, authorities in Mexico watch Hurricane Simon, a Category‑1 system set to intensify to Category‑4 before landing near Puerto Vallarta.
This coverage is updated live on RTWnews.com as the storm evolves.
