Gov. Kay Ivey declares state of emergency as Isaias approaches Gulf Coast

Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday declared a state of emergency in 40 of Alabama’s 67 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias headed toward the Gulf Coast and continued to strengthen.

The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday afternoon the storm had reached winds of 65 mph. Isaias is expected to become a hurricane on Thursday and strengthen further on Friday. The storm could produce 3 to 7 inches of rain from southeast Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, and the NHC said some areas could see up to 10 inches of rain.

“As we approach the weekend and any travel plans, make sure you have reliable information as conditions develop,” Ivey said in a statement. “While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously.”

The state of emergency applies to Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Choctaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox counties. It will be in effect until Oct. 14.

Jim Stefkovich, a meterologist with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, wrote on Wednesday that Isaias was expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday evening as a Category 2 storm, with winds of up to 110 mph. The storm could create tornadoes on the Gulf Coast on Friday and through south Alabama on Saturday.