Hurricane Isaias: Storm upgraded to Category 3

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Isaias is strengthening and is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday morning. The hurricane is the first of the Atlantic season. Read more trending newsTropical storm conditionsUpdate 2:18 p.m. ET, Oct. 9: The National Hurricane Center said that tropical storm conditions have begun along the Northern Gulf Coast, advising that storm preparations should be completed within the next few hours. Hurricane #Isaias Advisory 12A (1 PM CDT, Fri Oct 9): Tropical Storm Conditions Beginning Along the Northern Gulf Coast. Preparations Against Life-Threatening Storm Surge and Devastating Winds Should Be Completed in the Next Couple of Hours. https://t.co/GrztW6mQJV National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2026A tornado watch was issued for Friday afternoon for the Florida Panhandle, parts of Alabama and parts of Georgia, The New York Times reported. Gaining strengthUpdate 8:30 a.m. ET, Oct. 9: Hurricane Isaias strengthened o