Residents of Pensacola, Florida, woke to a dramatic display of nature’s power on Friday as Hurricane Isaias surged toward the Gulf Coast. First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi captured the moment on live video when a gust‑laden wind snapped a light pole just as a car passed beneath it.
“It looks like it’s about to come down,” anchor Michelle Imperato said, noting that Mainolfi had warned trees were already bending under winds that had reached roughly 90 mph. A second vehicle attempted the same route moments later, only to watch the pole collapse in front of it.
Wind measurements and storm intensity
According to the National Hurricane Center, an extreme wind warning is in effect for the western Florida Panhandle. First Warning Meteorologist Eric Burris reported a 72 mph gust at Orange Beach, Alabama, and a 92 mph gust in Pensacola. Radar indicated sustained winds of 105‑110 mph making landfall near Destin shortly after 8 p.m.
The NHC currently lists Isaias with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, classifying it as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm’s central pressure is estimated at 971 millibars, and it is moving northward at about 19 mph.
Projected path and impact
Forecasters expect Isaias to strike somewhere between Pensacola and Panama City Beach, or possibly just offshore as the system shifts. After landfall, the hurricane is projected to track across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley over the weekend.
Local officials have urged residents to secure loose objects, avoid travel on flooded roads, and heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Emergency shelters are being readied, and utility crews are on standby to respond to power outages.
Community response
WESH 2’s weather team, including Mainolfi, Burris, Cam Tran, Victoria Wisniewski, and Luke Vickery, continues to provide live updates. Viewers are encouraged to download the WESH 2 News app for real‑time alerts and to follow the station’s online coverage for the most accurate forecasts.
In addition to weather updates, the station offers resources on hurricane preparedness, insurance considerations, generator setup, and post‑storm recovery. Residents can access a comprehensive survival guide and a list of local shelters through the app.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
