Hurricane Isaias is a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds expected to make landfall near the Alabama-Florida border. States of emergency are declared in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia as evacuations proceed.
Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, is strengthening as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Isaias is a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour. Landfall is expected late Friday or early Saturday, likely near the Alabama-Florida state line.
As of early Friday, the core of Isaias was located about 230 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving north-northeast at 14 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles from the center, while tropical storm-force winds reached up to 125 miles outward.
Forecasters indicated that Isaias could briefly become a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) on Friday before weakening. "Although some weakening is forecast thereafter, Isaias will remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast tonight," the Miami-based center said. After landfall, the storm is expected to weaken quickly, becoming a tropical storm over Alabama by early Saturday and a tropical depression by Saturday evening.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida. Additionally, a storm surge warning covers the area from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River, with a storm surge watch extending to Yankeetown, Florida. The NHC forecasts storm surges of 5 to 7 feet along much of the northern Gulf Coast.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in parts of Florida's Okaloosa, Walton, and Escambia counties. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey ordered non-residents to evacuate Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island. Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier expressed concern that residents might not heed warnings until it is too late. "Because what inevitably happens is people hear the warnings, but they don't actually take any action until it's much too late," Collier said.
Governors in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have declared states of emergency. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to prepare emergency supplies and "execute your hurricane plan." He also mobilized the Florida National Guard to assist with evacuations and power restoration.
The NHC forecasts 4 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches, along the coast from southern Alabama to the Florida Panhandle and southwest Georgia. Heavy rain and flooding could extend as far north as Tennessee and North Carolina through the weekend.
There is also a significant risk of tornadoes. "A risk for tornadoes will begin this evening in coastal areas of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and far southwest Georgia," the center said. "The tornado threat will continue through Saturday for parts of eastern Alabama into Georgia and the Florida Panhandle."
Isaias' development on Wednesday marked the latest date in 121 years for the Atlantic season's first hurricane to form, just missing the record set on Oct. 8, 1905. The season has been unusually quiet, largely due to a strong El Niño, which typically dampens tropical system growth in the Atlantic. "It only takes one storm for a lot of possible destruction. So you don't want to put your guard down," said Lindsey Long, a meteorologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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