Hurricane Isaias has made landfall in Pensacola, Florida, according to an Alabama news outlet's October 10 report. The storm was forecast to move rapidly north through Alabama on Saturday, October 10, bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to northern parts of the state.

The outlet reported landfall at around 7:30 p.m. Central Time, without specifying the date. The storm's category and maximum sustained winds at landfall remain unconfirmed.

Wind is the main concern inland

The National Weather Service office in Huntsville, which provides forecasts for north-central and northeastern Alabama, identified wind as the main concern. Its forecast put the chance of wind gusts with significant effects at medium to high across the region.

The hurricane's circulation could still produce gusty winds as it moves inland. The forecast covered Huntsville and surrounding communities, with conditions expected to depend on the storm's path and strength after reaching the coast.

Heavy rainfall was also a concern, although the weather service assessed the flooding threat across its forecast area as low to medium. The briefing did not give exact rainfall totals or maximum wind-gust speeds.

Residents urged to prepare for outages

The weather service urged residents to consider preparations for possible power outages and flooding. Officials also recommended checking forecast updates and keeping several ways to receive weather warnings available.

That advice covered the overnight period on Friday and throughout Saturday. Saturday was the forecast's main period of concern as Isaias moved northward through Alabama.

Alabama was also preparing at state level. Jeff Smitherman, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, joined CBS News to discuss those preparations while the hurricane was still approaching the Gulf Coast.

Tornado risk falls in Huntsville forecast

The Huntsville weather service assessed Saturday's tornado threat as very low, lower than previously expected. It nevertheless advised residents to continue monitoring official weather information as the storm approached.

The forecast, published early on October 10, had anticipated a major hurricane reaching the Alabama-Florida coastal area on Friday night. That was a forecast of coastal conditions, while the guidance for northern Alabama focused on the potential for inland wind and rain.