Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 3 as Gulf Coast braces for landfall
publishers 65articles 77first reported 6 Oct, 20:59 UTCdeveloping since 7 Oct · 11 editions
Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a Category 3 storm on Friday as it approached the U.S. Gulf Coast, bringing tropical storm-force winds and rain ahead of an expected nighttime landfall.
The National Hurricane Center said Isaias had sustained winds above 120 mph and was moving north-northeast at 15 mph. The hurricane was forecast to come ashore between Mobile Bay, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday, then weaken rapidly while moving inland.
Forecasters warned of damaging winds, flooding, possible tornadoes and a potentially life-threatening storm surge. Water could rise 6 to 9 feet in the most exposed areas, while coastal rainfall was forecast at 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals reaching 15 inches. Strong winds and rain were expected to spread inland toward Atlanta.
Emergency declarations were issued in parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia, and mandatory evacuation orders were in place in several coastal counties. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents to heed evacuation instructions, warning that storm surge posed a particular danger. Residents along the coast prepared generators, filled sandbags and secured outdoor property as conditions deteriorated.
Scientists cited unusually warm Gulf waters and abundant moisture as factors in Isaias’ rapid intensification, while wind shear associated with El Niño had previously limited storm development. Isaias became the Atlantic season’s first hurricane and its first major hurricane.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one (7 if wire copies count as one too); this version written 72 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 65
- Source articles
- 77
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8 (7 if wire copies count as one)
- This version written
- 72 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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