Hurricane Isaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, developing late Wednesday. The storm has intensified rapidly, strengthening from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane by Friday morning. This late development ties a historical record, as the first hurricane of the season had not formed this late since October 8, 1905, following a notably quiet season caused by a strong El Niño.
The storm is forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday, likely along the Alabama-Florida line. Isaias is expected to bring dangerous conditions to the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi. Forecasters warn that the storm will cause life-threatening storm surges of up to 7 feet and waves reaching as high as 30 feet.
In addition to the surge, the hurricane is expected to bring up to 10 inches of rain this weekend, creating a risk of flash floods and isolated river flooding. Residents are also warned of damaging hurricane-force winds and the possibility of tornadoes.
In response, states of emergency have been declared in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for parts of Florida, and residents from Louisiana to Florida have been urged to evacuate if instructed. The storm has also triggered evacuations and production shut-ins at energy facilities across the US Gulf as officials prepare for long-duration power outages.