The National Hurricane Center announced that Hurricane Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 storm near Destin at 8:30 p.m. Friday night.

The storm weakened in the final hours before landfall, slowing from a previous 120 mph to 105 mph.

Hurricane Isaias continues to move North out of Okaloosa County at 19 mph, but that does not mean it is safe enough to leave shelter.

Downed trees, power lines, and flooded roads still pose a risk to personal safety.

The National Hurricane Center announced that Hurricane Isaias made landfall at 8:30 p.m. near Destin, FL, with sustained winds of 105 mph.

The storm continues to move North, now at 19 mph.

Isaias is moving North at a speed of 18 mph. Landfall is expected within the next hour or two.

The Hurricane has slowed and is now declared a Category 2 with sustained winds at 110 mph.

Gulf Breeze recorded sustained winds of 83 mph with gust of 97 mph. Pensacola International Airport recorded gust of 71 mph.

Col. Chris Keithley, the installation commander, declared Hurricane Condition 1E at 6 p.m. today.

HURCON 1E indicates sustained winds of at least 58 mph and/or gusts of 69 mph, requiring people to shelter or find shelter immediately, and movement outside should be restricted to prevent injury.

The 96th Medical Group Hospital is the designated safe shelter for on-base residents.

The 96th Medical Group Hospital emergency operations, labor and delivery, and inpatient services will remain open. Everyone is advised that the gates are closed as of 1 p.m. today. The 96th Medical Group Hospital Gate can be used for exit-only purposes until the base is reopened. All outdoor activities and non-emergency operations are closed.  

All gates will open and operations resume once the base is secure, recovery operations are complete, and the installation commander gives the go-ahead.

People are reminded to follow local county, evacuation orders and city emergency management advisories, bridge closures, and monitor television, radio broadcasts and internet for the latest National Hurricane Center’s forecasts.

For more information, visit www.eglin.af.mil, Eglin AFB Facebook, or call the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs Office at (850) 496-0899.

A wind gust of 72 mph was recently recorded at Orange Beach, Alabama. Another was recorded off the coast of Pensacola at 69 mph.

Hurricane Isaias is approximately 70 miles offshore from Pensacola.

Strong tropical-force winds (58- 73 mph) are expected to hit the area around 6 p.m.

Hurricane-force (73 plus mph) winds are expected around 8 p.m.

It is predicted that by 4 a.m., winds will be on the Florida-Alabama border

The Florida Department of Transportation has issued that Eastbound I-10 at Mile Marker 54 (near Antioch Road) is closed due to a vehicle crash.

Emergency responders are on-site along with FDOT crews.

It is advised to utilize an alternate route at this time.

As of 4:00 p.m., the National Hurricane Center has released the most recent information regarding Hurricane Isaias.

The storm is no longer shifting toward the East but is now tracking North at 17 mph. Landfall is expected on the Western Florida Panhandle later this evening. The center of the storm is expected to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley Saturday and Sunday.

Isaias has sustained max winds of 115 mph with little change in strength before landfall. Sustained winds of 46 mph with gusts of 58 mph were recently measured in Gulf Breeze. Hurricane-force winds are expected to spread inland as far as 100 miles from the coast to southern Alabama.

Four to eight inches of rainfall will spread across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Big Bend. Localized totals up to 15 inches are possible, particularly within banding across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend.

The City of Crestview has issued an alert issuing a mandatory, precautionary restriction on non-essential water use.

Hurricane Isaias has the potential to impact the distribution system and well pumps through flooding, widespread power outages, and critical damage.

The restriction is to ensure adequate water supply is preserved for public health, safety, and emergency fire protection.