Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a category 3 storm on Friday morning as it approached the US Gulf coast. Alabama, Florida and Mississippi have declared states of emergency.
The storm is forecast to reach the coast near the Alabama-Florida border on Friday night. Officials expect a dangerous storm surge; the National Hurricane Center said water could rise by up to 7ft (2.1 metres) at Dauphin Island, off Alabama. Waves could reach 30ft (9.1 metres).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned of damaging winds across parts of the Florida panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi, and urged residents to prepare for prolonged power cuts. Coastal areas could also receive up to 15in (380mm) of rain, while tornadoes are possible overnight into Saturday.
Rain had begun along the coast by Friday morning, with winds increasing. Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of the late 2026 season, is expected to weaken quickly after landfall.
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