Isaias is now a ‘major’ hurricane barreling toward northern Gulf Coast

Store shelves at a Walmart in Pensacola were emptied of bread and canned goods on Thursday, Oct. 8, as Isais approached. Landfall was expected Friday evening. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)Note: We will update this story as the situation develops. PENSACOLA — Isaias is now a Category 3 hurricane, a designation that puts it in the category of major hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center reports sustained winds of 120 mph and stronger gusts. The storm was traveling toward the northern Gulf Coast at 15 mph and could make landfall Friday night. “We have the resources that we need in place, to be able to respond, to be able to help people in need, and to be able to rapidly get things back to normal, from power restoration to the economy,” DeSantis said Friday morning. According to DeSantis, Florida Power Light has 16,000 linemen and personnel mobilized. “Assume you’re going to lose power,” DeSantis said — and how quickly it comes back on depends upon where damage is susta