Isaias Closes In on the US Gulf Coast as a Dangerous Category 3 Hurricane

UNITED STATES – Homeowners gassed up generators, filled bathtubs with water and bought last-minute supplies along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday while Hurricane Isaias gained strength as it charged toward the beaches of Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

The category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane, the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season, and is expected to make landfall Friday night.

Florida’s governor declared a state of emergency in 27 counties as the hurricane approaches the state’s western panhandle, with more than 6,000 utility workers and restoration personnel on standby ahead of the storm’s expected landfall.

Forecasters warned of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, flooding and possibly even tornadoes before the storm loses steam as it moves inland and delivers strong winds and rain well north into Atlanta.