# Isaias strengthens into Category 3 hurricane

> Hurricane Isaias intensifies as it heads toward US Gulf Coast.
- Title: Isaias strengthens into Category 3 hurricane · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Hurricane Isaias intensifies as it heads toward US Gulf Coast. Hurricane Isaias strengthens into a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, expected to make…
- Keywords: hurricane, isaias, gulf coast, pensacola, alabama, florida, national guard, storm surge, tropical storm, news, local, strengthens
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/hurricane-isaias-residents-board-windows-national-guard-troops-deploy-storm-nears-us-gulf-coast/19924496
- Published: 2026-10-09T10:58:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hurricane, isaias, gulf coast, pensacola, alabama, florida, national guard, storm surge, tropical storm, news, local
## Hurricane Isaias strengthens
Hurricane Isaias has strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it heads toward the US Gulf Coast.
## Expected landfall near Pensacola
Isaias is expected to make landfall near Pensacola, Florida, along the Alabama-Florida line Friday evening.
## 120 mph winds
The Category 3 storm packs 120 mph winds and is expected to continue strengthening.
## Storm surge warning
Isaias is expected to bring a storm surge as high as 5 to 7 feet with dangerous waves.
## Evacuations underway
Alabama and Florida governors declared states of emergency, with mandatory evacuations for coastal areas.
## National Guard deployed
Thousands of National Guard troops are mobilizing to assist with evacuations and emergency response.
## Key takeaway

Hurricane Isaias strengthens into a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, expected to make landfall near Pensacola, Florida, by Friday evening.