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Heavy rain and strong winds batter parts of Florida as Category 3 Hurricane Isaias approaches the continental United States. WJHG reporter Delaney Smith reports from on the ground in Walton County, Florida, where residents are bracing for a surge of rain and gale‑force gusts that could reach 80 miles per hour.

Isaias formed in the central Caribbean on June 29 after a tropical wave moved over warm sea surface temperatures of 29°C. The storm quickly strengthened, reaching Category 1 status before sweeping across the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next 48 hours, the National Hurricane Center upgraded it to Category 3 as it accelerated toward the Florida Panhandle. The combination of low wind shear, ample moisture, and a warm Gulf shelf has allowed the system to maintain its intensity, even as it draws closer to the U.S. coast. This is the first major hurricane to threaten the Florida mainland since 2017, raising concerns among coastal communities that have already faced flooding from the COVID‑19 pandemic and rising sea levels.

Local officials in Walton County have issued a state of emergency and urged residents to secure outdoor items, check sump pumps, and avoid driving through flooded roads. Early forecasts predict up to 6 inches of rain in some areas, with the potential for isolated flash floods. Power companies report that over 20,000 customers have already lost electricity, and the state’s electric grid is under strain as crews work to restore service. The National Weather Service warns that the storm’s eye could bring wind gusts of 90 mph, enough to damage roofs and uproot trees. Emergency shelters have opened in schools and community centers, and the Florida Department of Transportation has posted a travel advisory for the I‑10 and I‑75 corridors.

If Isaias maintains its Category 3 strength, the storm could make landfall near