At 4 p.m. Friday, Hurricane Isaias had turned north and was 90 miles south of Pensacola with 115 mph winds, a Category 3. The National Hurricane Center now puts landfall near the Pensacola area this evening, and the National Weather Service in Mobile has raised the wind forecast for Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Eglin to Category 3 force, with gusts to 140 mph.
Here is what changed since the 1 p.m. update:
Turned north and sped up: Isaias is moving north at 17 mph, after heading north-northeast all day.
Landfall location narrowed: The Hurricane Center says the forecast models now agree on landfall near the Pensacola area this evening.
Closer: The center is 90 miles south of Pensacola. At 1 p.m. it was 145 miles.
Winds: Sustained winds are 115 mph, down slightly from 120, and Isaias is still a Category 3. Little change is expected before landfall. Forecasters say this will be a gustier than normal hurricane, and its fast motion could carry strong hurricane-force gusts well inland.
Already being felt: A gust of 58 mph was measured near Gulf Breeze, and 56 mph at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
For Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Eglin, NWS Mobile's latest forecast says:
Wind: Now Category 3 equivalent, with sustained 95 to 115 mph and gusts to 140 mph, up from 90 to 110 mph at 1 p.m. Hurricane-force winds are possible from now until early Saturday.
Surge: 6 to 9 feet above ground in surge-prone areas, through Saturday morning. This is unchanged.
Rain: Another 2 to 4 inches, with more in spots, down from 3 to 6.
Tornadoes: Several are possible tonight, with the greatest risk east of the center, which includes us.
Stay where you are. NWS Mobile says not to go outside, and to move to the safest place in your shelter if a tornado warning is issued. If water rises, move to upper floors.
For evacuation and shelter questions, call Okaloosa County Emergency Management at 850-651-7150.
The next update is at 7 p.m., with the next full advisory at 10 p.m. Follow the storm on our Isaias storm center, and read the full NHC advisory here.
Written and reported by Emerald Coast Connected.