DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA/Gray News) - A man was reportedly on a boat off the east end of an Alabama island as Hurricane Isaias drew closer to landfall.

Police said they had been in contact with the boater on Dauphin Island earlier on Thursday. Officials said the boater is a local man who wanted to be on his boat.

Police said the man is aware of the dangers of being aboard the boat during the storm and was willing to take the risk.

The hurricane was expected to make landfall around 9:30 p.m. near Pensacola, about 95 miles away.

Maximum sustained winds were recorded up to 120 miles per hour by Thursday evening, dropping down to about 110 mph an hour before expected landfall.

A storm surge of up to 4 to 6 feet was expected for Dauphin Island, and 4 to 8 inches of rain were expected across the southern part of Alabama.

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