Santa Rosa County officials just concluded a call with the National Weather Service in Mobile, detailing possible effects as we enter the final hours of waiting until Hurricane Isaias makes landfall.
As of the 11:30 a.m. call, Isaias was about 180 miles south of Pensacola with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph and picking up speed.
The biggest change was that forecasters are saying Isaias will remain a major hurricane until it comes ashore. NWS officials say there is little difference between a high-end Category 2 and a low-end Category 3.
Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties remain in the highest wind threat. Forecasters expect considerable roof damage and damage to mobile homes.
Parts of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties will have a 90 percent chance of strong tropical-storm-force winds. Those winds were already blowing off Orange Beach, Alabama.
Storm surge is expected to be between 6 and 9 feet from the Alabama-Florida line east toward Navarre and Destin. Breakers of up to 25 feet are forecast along Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected, with bands bringing up to 12 inches of rain.
