Hurricane Isaias Heads for Gulf Coast as Evacuations Widen in Florida and Alabama
Hurricane Isaias Gulf Coast evacuations widened on Friday as officials in Florida and Alabama sent visitors away from beaches, closed schools and airports, and prepared shelters ahead of a landfall expected this weekend. The storm is the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. It strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane on Thursday and was moving toward the northern Gulf Coast.
CNN reported early Friday that Isaias was expected to become a major hurricane soon, meaning Category 3 or stronger. The Red Cross expects landfall late Friday or early Saturday. Forecasters have warned of life-threatening storm surge, tornadoes and flooding.
Hurricane Isaias Gulf Coast evacuations: where orders are in force
In Florida, mandatory evacuations took effect at noon local time on Thursday for co...