WorldHurricane Isaias reaches Category 1 as US braces for landfall

Hurricane Isaias is strengthening as it heads toward the northern Gulf Coast, where it is expected to make landfall this weekend. It rapidly became the Atlantic season’s first hurricane Wednesday night. Although forecast to weaken, it could still arrive Friday night or early Saturday as a Category 1 or low-end Category 2 storm, then quickly become a tropical storm. Storm surge could reach several feet, with up to 10 inches of rain.