Hurricane Isaias makes landfall, unleashing destructive winds and life-threatening flooding

Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday as a dangerous Category 2 storm, lashing the northern Gulf Coast with destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge.

HURRICANE ISAIAS THREATENS MORE THAN COASTLINE WITH IMPACTS TO PUSH INLAND ACROSS SOUTH

The powerful storm made landfall at 9:30 p.m. ET near Destin, Florida, with sustained winds of 105 mph and an estimated minimum central pressure of 971 mb as it moved north at 19 mph.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 90 mph, as it continues to move along the Gulf Coast.

However, the ferocious eyewall winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential downpours continue to pound the coast as the storm pushes inland.

Numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Pensacola Police Department, have suspended emergency responses until weather conditions improve, while Walton County officials say their non-emergency line is down.

Officials are reporting rising water levels along the coast, with levels increasing around Panama City and Apalachicola, Florida.

HURRICANE ISAIAS MAKING LANDFALL AS A MONSTER CATEGORY 2 STORM AS CONDITIONS WORSEN ALONG GULF COAST

Meanwhile, a storm surge blowout is underway in Mobile Bay, Alabama.

In Panama City Beach, Florida, water levels recently reached 5.4 feet above the average high tide level, indicating significant coastal flooding.

A Flash Flood Emergency was issued Friday night for Fort Walton Beach and Destin, Florida, amid the threat of life-threatening flooding.

HOW ARE HURRICANES RATED?

Hurricane-force wind gusts are also battering the Gulf Coast, with officials reporting gusts of 83 mph at Pensacola City Hall.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch through 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) for the Florida Panhandle, extreme southern Georgia and southeastern Alabama.

Power outages are skyrocketing as intense winds bring down trees and topple utility poles across the Gulf Coast.

More than 298,000 customers in Florida are currently without power, while more than 174,100 customers in Alabama have also lost electricity.

Isaias was previously a Category 3 hurricane, but the dangerous storm slightly weakened to a Category 2 before landfall.

More than 30 million people across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia are expected to experience the worst of Isaias' impacts, while rain from the storm’s remnants will spread across more than 15 states in the eastern U.S. after landfall this weekend.

This story is developing. Check back frequently for updates.