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HURRICANE ISAIAS NEARS GULF COAST: Escambia County Under Hurricane Warning as 110 MPH Storm Threatens Dangerous Surge and Flooding
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are under Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings as Hurricane Isaias nears the Gulf Coast. The high-end Category 2 storm brings 110 mph winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall to the Florida Panhandle.
About Hurricane Isaias Escambia County
Last updated:
The last National Hurricane Center (NHC) update was the full 4:00 AM CDT advisory (Advisory #11) issued on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The update warned that preparations must be rushed to completion immediately as weather conditions will deteriorate rapidly across the warning areas today.
Key Data & Findings:
Intensity & Sustained Winds: Maximum sustained winds increased to near 110 mph (high-end Category 2) with higher gusts, and the estimated minimum central pressure dropped to 963 mb.
Major Hurricane Status Expected: Forecasters noted that Isaias is likely to briefly become a major Category 3 hurricane later this morning before experiencing slight weakening as it approaches landfall tonight or early Saturday.
Track & Speed: Moving north-northeast at 15 mph, with a turn toward the north expected later today.
Wind Field Expansion: Hurricane-force winds now extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to arrive in coastal areas within the morning hours.
Warnings in Effect: Both a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Warning remain actively in effect for coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle (including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties).
Hazards Highlighted:
Storm Surge: Life-threatening surge inundation of 5 to 7 feet along the immediate coast, bays, and sounds.
Rainfall & Flooding: Widespread rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, with localized totals up to 15 inches leading to severe flash, urban, and significant river flooding.
Tornadoes: A risk for isolated tornadoes begins this evening across coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle and continues into Saturday.
The next intermediate advisory will be released at 7:00 AM CDT, followed by the next full forecast package at 10:00 AM CDT.
Related: Pensacola heat advisory: Aviso de calor emitido para el noroeste de Florida y condados vecinos
Related: Heat advisory Northwest Florida: Aviso de calor emitido para condados de la región
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