Hurricane warning issued for Alabama coastal counties

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(The Center Square) – Hurricane warnings are in effect for Mobile and Baldwin counties as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast, threatening Alabama with damaging winds, flooding and tornadoes.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency said Thursday morning that landfall is expected Friday evening between Biloxi, Miss., and Panama City, Fla., with sustained winds of 95 to 105 mph.

The forecast track shifted westward, placing the storm’s center over western Alabama or eastern Mississippi on Saturday. Hurricane and tropical storm watches extend inland.

Wind gusts could exceed 80 mph in far southern Alabama Friday night into early Saturday. Gusts of 35 to 60 mph are possible farther inland, as far north as a line from Livingston through Montgomery to Eufaula.

Saturday’s winds could topple trees and cause power outages well inland.

Rain is expected to spread north from the coast Friday afternoon. Much of Alabama could receive 2 to 4 inches of rain through Sunday, with 3 to 6 inches in far southern areas and locally higher totals.

A few tornadoes are possible in far southern Alabama Friday and across the eastern half of the state Saturday.

Emergency Management Agency expects rain and wind impacts to end statewide by Sunday evening.