Updated with the 10 a.m. CDT advisory Thursday, Oct. 8.
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Hurricane Isaias strengthened Thursday morning as tropical storm warnings covered much of the Wiregrass. Forecasters warn of damaging winds, flooding and possible tornadoes Friday into Saturday.
At 10 a.m. CDT, Isaias was a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph. Its center was about 380 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving east-northeast at 10 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The forecast continues to point toward landfall along the Alabama coast or western Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday. Based on the latest forecast positions, the Alabama-Florida border area remains a likely landfall region, but the exact location is uncertain.
The NHC said Thursday morning’s track changed little from the previous advisory. Wednesday’s forecast had been adjusted slightly eastward, but the latest update does not show another significant eastward shift.
Isaias could reach 110 mph early Friday, near the upper end of Category 2 strength. Some weakening is forecast as it approaches the coast, but the NHC expects it to remain dangerous through landfall. Strong, gusty winds could spread well inland as the storm moves across the Southeast.
Tropical storm warnings are active in Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties in Alabama. That includes the Enterprise, Elba, Ozark, Fort Rucker, Geneva, Samson, Headland, Abbeville and Dothan areas.
Warnings also cover Jackson, Holmes and Washington counties in Florida, and Early, Miller and Seminole counties in Georgia. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Along the coast, a hurricane warning extends from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay-Gulf county line in Florida. Coastal tropical storm warnings cover the Jefferson-Plaquemines parish line in Louisiana to west of Ocean Springs, and east of the Bay-Gulf county line to Florida’s Aucilla River.
A storm surge warning stretches from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida’s Suwannee River. A storm surge watch continues from the Suwannee River to Yankeetown.
In the nearby Florida Panhandle, hurricane and storm surge warnings include southern Walton County and coastal Bay County, including Santa Rosa Beach, Sandestin, Panama City and Panama City Beach. Coastal Okaloosa County, including Destin and Fort Walton Beach, is also under both warnings.
Current local forecasts call for gusts around 40 mph across much of the Alabama Wiregrass. However, the weather service’s planning guidance includes the possibility of stronger winds if the track or intensity changes. Geneva County and Holmes County, Florida, face a potential wind threat of 58-73 mph.
Rainfall forecasts generally call for 2-4 inches across Coffee, Dale, Henry and Houston counties, Jackson County and the nearby southwest Georgia counties. Geneva, Holmes and Washington counties could receive 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts.
A flood watch covers all five Alabama Wiregrass counties, along with Jackson, Holmes, Washington, Walton and Bay counties in Florida and Early, Miller and Seminole counties in Georgia. The watch runs from 1 p.m. CDT Friday through 7 p.m. CDT Saturday.
Heavy rain could flood streets, low-lying areas and small streams. The weather service also warns that river flooding is possible, especially where recent rainfall has already left the ground wet.
Tornadoes are another concern. The threat Friday includes the Florida Panhandle, far southern Alabama and extreme southwestern Georgia. On Saturday, it expands across southeastern Alabama, much of southwestern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
The National Weather Service urges residents to finish preparations by midday Friday. Residents should secure loose outdoor items, prepare for power outages and have a safe place available if tornado warnings are issued. Those in coastal evacuation areas should follow instructions from local officials.
