Hurricane Isaias lashes the US Gulf Coast with wind and rain as it nears the Florida Panhandle

(AP) — Intensifying winds whipped palm trees and thundering waves crashed along the beaches of the Florida Panhandle and Alabama on Friday as Hurricane Isaias swirled just offshore, picking up speed as it charged toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.The Category 3 storm weakened only slightly in the afternoon and was on course to arrive in the evening as a major hurricane — and the first hurricane of an unusually quiet Atlantic season.“Things are going to get really, really treacherous over the next couple hours,” said Jamie Rhome, deputy director for the National Hurricane Center.Tracking late Friday afternoon showed landfall would likely take place over the western panhandle near the Pensacola area, said Robbie Berg, a national warning coordinator for the hurricane center.Forecasters warned of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, flooding and possibly even tornadoes before the storm loses steam as it moves inland and delivers strong winds and rain well north into Atlanta.Wind gusts up to hurricane strength began to lash the Gulf shoreline in the early evening, hours before Isaias was expected to come ashore in the low-lying coastal area known for powdery white sand beaches that are dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.A hurricane warning was in place from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the western Florida Panhandle. Several counties announced mandatory evacuations while Mobile, Alabama, imposed a curfew beginning Friday evening until morning.Residents in Panama City, Florida, braved the rain while filling sandbags Friday to protect their houses.“I mean, it’s just the nature of the beast.

It’s Florida," said Corliss Stone, who works for the fire department.Many will brave Isaias at homeOne of the biggest concerns is a storm surge that could be as high as 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters), according to the hurricane center. Places most at risk include Florida’s Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.Anne Petzold, who lives with her husband in the Florida beach community of Gulf Breeze, said everyone in their neighborhood planned to ride out the storm. The couple installed hurricane shutters and picked up anything in their yard that could turn into a projectile.“Everybody does what they can do, everybody asks if they need help — they ask for help, they offer help.

Hurricane Isaias is bringing heavy winds and rain to the Florida Panhandle as it is about to make landfall Friday.