Isaias approaches US Gulf Coast with sustained winds of 185 km/h

Hurricane Isaias approached the northern US Gulf Coast with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h, according to the National Hurricane Center’s October 9 update at 22:00 UTC.

Its center was about 100 kilometers south-southeast of Pensacola, Florida, and 155 kilometers southeast of Mobile, Alabama. It was moving north at approximately 28 km/h in the 5 p.m. CDT update.

Forecasters had expected landfall late Friday or early Saturday locally. Daytime reports already recorded Category 3 strength, superseding the earlier forecast that it might become a major hurricane.

The center warned of dangerous storm surge and high winds. Tornado risks also extended to parts of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. The coordinates and speeds describe that specific bulletin, not a confirmed landfall.