ISAÍAS HURRICANE REACHES THE GULF OF MEXICO

MIAMI, OCTOBER 10 /SRNA/ – Isaías hurricane has struck the US Gulf Coast, bringing winds of up to 165 kilometres per hour, the US National Hurricane Center /NHC/ announced.

The storm strengthened to Category 3 on the five-point scale as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico before weakening to Category 2.

"The storm is here," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at a press conference late last night.

He urged residents to stay off the roads and wait until the storm passes.

DeSantis had earlier warned residents to prepare for prolonged power outages and possible road closures.

Residents were advised to stock up on food and other essential supplies sufficient to last at least 72 hours.

Meteorologists warned of life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flooding.

Storm surges could raise water levels by up to 2.7 metres above normally dry ground along parts of Florida’s northwestern coast, and tornadoes were also possible, DPA reported.

States of emergency have been declared in several states, while evacuations have been ordered in coastal areas of Florida and Alabama.

Flights have been cancelled, and shops and schools have closed ahead of the storm. Authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in Mobile, Alabama.

According to the PowerOutage website, which tracks electricity outages, nearly 500,000 customers in Florida and Alabama were left without power.

Emergency management officials have mobilised more than 1,000 generators and large fuel reserves.

Isaías is the first hurricane of the season. It is expected to weaken as it moves inland, although heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous wind gusts have been forecast for Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.