Hurricane Isaias Strengthens to Category 3, Gulf Coast Braces for Impact

Communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast are preparing for Hurricane Isaias, now a Category 3 storm, expected to make landfall between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday. As of 6 p.m. ET, the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Residents are boarding up windows, stocking up on supplies, and evacuating low-lying areas as the storm approaches. ABC News' Stephanie Ramos reports from Florida, where the outer bands of the hurricane are already bringing heavy rain and gusty winds. Officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for some coastal communities and are urging others to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The storm surge is a major concern, with predictions of up to 9 feet in some areas. Hurricane Isaias is the latest in a series of powerful storms to threaten the Gulf Coast this season. Emergency management agencies are on high alert, and shelters are opening for those who cannot evacuate. The storm is expected to weaken after landfall, but the threat of flooding and tornadoes will persist. ABC News will provide continuous coverage as the hurricane makes landfall.