Hurricane Isaias charges towards the US Gulf Coast with dangerous winds

What happened: Hurricane Isaias became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, heading toward the US Gulf Coast with landfall forecast in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi late Friday or early Saturday. Key numbers: Winds near 130km/h (80mph). Rainfall 3-6 inches, isolated peaks up to 10 inches. Why it matters: Oil and gas producers shut a significant share of offshore output, and S&P Global Energy's Jim Burkhard said the cuts are steep enough to affect markets, with more concern over whether Isaias strikes near refineries as a powerful storm. Coverage: 6 outlets in 24h

Hurricane Isaias became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, heading toward the US Gulf Coast with landfall forecast in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi late Friday or early Saturday.

Oil and gas producers shut a significant share of offshore output, and S&P Global Energy's Jim Burkhard said the cuts are steep enough to affect markets, with more concern over whether Isaias strikes near refineries as a powerful storm.