The Category 3 storm is forecast to make landfall late Friday evening in the Santa Rosa and Okaloosa area. Thousands of residents were already without power and storm surge was reaching the coast. Significant flash flooding is possible between Pensacola and Panama City, while a tornado watch covers parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia until 9 p.m. EDT.
Offshore operators have halted about 1.46 million BPD of oil production, or 71.5% of US Gulf of Mexico output, up from 62.9% Thursday. About 59% of regional natural gas production is also shut in, and personnel have been evacuated from 129 platforms. The disruption is lifting Gulf Coast crude prices.