At 7:00 a.m. CDT (1200 UTC) on 8 October, the center of Hurricane Isaias was located near latitude 23.7 North, longitude 90.6 West. [E13]
Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. [E15] The estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb (28.80 inches). [E14]
Isaias is moving toward the east-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). [E1]
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (40 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km). [E4]
On the forecast track, Isaias is expected to pass to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula later on 8 October and make landfall along the U.S. northern Gulf Coast within the warning area late Friday or early Saturday. [E2] Additional strengthening is expected through early Friday, and Isaias should remain a strong hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast on Friday night. [E3]
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Ocean Springs, MS to the Bay/Gulf County Line, FL. [E11][E9] A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Steinhatchee River, FL. [E12][E10] A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. [E5]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 25 counties, CNN reported, urging residents to prepare. [E6]
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in two counties in the Florida panhandle, CNN reported. [E7]
In neighboring Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey announced a state of emergency for 40 counties, CNN reported. [E8]