TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida officials are urging residents in the Panhandle to finalize their hurricane preparations as Hurricane Isaias strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico and heads toward the state's northwestern coast.
During a news briefing Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the storm is expected to bring impacts as early as Friday afternoon, with landfall projected late Friday night into early Saturday morning.
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While forecasters currently expect Isaias to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, state officials said they are preparing for a Category 3 storm.
"We're taking it very seriously," DeSantis said. "Our assumption is that it's going to hit strong as a probably lower-end Category 3, and then we work off that assumption."
The governor warned that the storm's most dangerous conditions are expected to be on the eastern side of its track, putting much of the Florida Panhandle at risk for storm surge, tornadoes, flooding and damaging winds.
Current forecasts show landfall somewhere between Mobile Bay and Navarre, though officials stressed the track could still change.
State emergency officials said storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is possible along portions of the Panhandle. Evacuation orders have already been issued in several counties, primarily for Zones A and B, barrier islands and other low-lying areas.
"We want everybody to be prepared," DeSantis said. "There will be impacts all across the Florida Panhandle."
State mobilizes resources
Florida's Emergency Operations Center is operating at its highest activation level as agencies across the state prepare for response and recovery efforts.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has staged more than 1,000 generators, 500,000 gallons of gasoline, 1 million gallons of diesel fuel, more than 3 million meals ready to eat and 1.1 million bottles of water.
More than 6,000 utility workers and restoration personnel are standing by to respond to power outages.
The Florida Department of Transportation has also mobilized 900 personnel, nearly 260 pieces of heavy equipment and 100 pumps ahead of the storm. Tolls have been suspended on several Panhandle roadways to help facilitate evacuations and emergency response.
Officials said approximately 5,000 members of the Florida National Guard are being activated, while the Florida State Guard has deployed 175 soldiers, aircraft and rescue vessels to support storm operations.
Search-and-rescue assets, including airboats, shallow-water boats, swamp buggies and high-water vehicles, have also been pre-positioned throughout the anticipated impact area.
Flooding concerns grow
Emergency managers said one of the biggest concerns is the potential for inland flooding.
The Panhandle has already experienced significant rainfall in recent weeks, leaving many areas saturated before the storm's arrival.
"You're going to see rising water," DeSantis said. "You're going to see these interior places that I discussed."
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue said officials are closely monitoring rivers, streams and drainage systems that could overflow as additional rain falls.
"We're viewing this as it could be a Category 3 major hurricane, and we want to be prepared for that," Perdue said.
Residents urged to act now
Officials are encouraging residents to complete preparations immediately, including filling gas tanks, securing supplies and reviewing evacuation plans.
DeSantis said residents in the storm's path should assume power outages are likely and be prepared with enough water and nonperishable food to last several days.
Emergency managers also reminded residents not to leave pets behind during evacuations. Every county in Florida has at least one pet-friendly shelter, officials said.
Residents are encouraged to follow guidance from local emergency management agencies and heed all evacuation orders.
"Do not wait until conditions deteriorate to take action," Perdue said. "Make decisions now to keep yourself and your family safe."
Officials also cautioned residents who plan to use generators after the storm to operate them outdoors and away from enclosed spaces to avoid potentially deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
The state said preparations and resource staging will continue as Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast, with tropical-storm-force winds expected before landfall and hazardous conditions likely continuing into Saturday.
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