Hurricane Isaias strengthens into Category 3 storm with US in its sights

The major storm is expected to make landfall along the US Gulf Coast later on Friday or early Saturday.Hurricane Isaias has strengthened into a major Category 3 storm as the Gulf Coast of the United States prepares for potentially “life-threatening” conditions.The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Friday that Isaias was packing winds in excess of 193kph (120mph) and was expected to continue strengthening over the course of the day. A Category 3 storm, considered a major hurricane by the NHC, is capable of causing devastating damage.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3El Nino reaches super status: Where will it bring rain, drought and heat?list 2 of 3Scientists warn super El Nino could cause 450,000 deaths: Should we worry?list 3 of 3Hurricane Isaias charges towards the US Gulf Coast with dangerous windsend of listIsaias, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is expected to make landfall in the US later on Friday or early Saturday between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida, the center said.When it comes ashore, the storm is forecast to weaken quickly as it moves inland into the southern US. But the NHC urged local governments to quickly prepare for the dangerous conditions that Isaias could bring.“Preparations should be rushed to completion as the weather will go downhill quickly today”, forecasters said. “While the storm is not expected to make landfall at peak intensity, it is likely that Isaias will still be a significant hurricane when it reaches the coast”.Storm surge as high as 2.7 metres (9 feet) could impact an area extending from the Alabama-Florida border to Grayton Beach, Florida, creating “dangerous” conditions for residents who live along the Gulf shoreline. Isaias is projected to produce 10.1 to 20.3cm of rainfall (4 to 8 inches) across the coast, with possible localised totals of up to 38cm (15 inches).