by WILL FOLKS
***
Hurricane Isaias – which formed in the Gulf of America earlier this week – is barreling toward the coastlines of Florida and Alabama as a major hurricane.
Following a historic hiatus in hurricanes this year, Isaias has come out of nowhere and quickly developed into a significant threat to the American mainland – packing maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (and stronger gusts) as it approaches the Florida panhandle.
That makes the storm a category three system on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale – and the first major hurricane of 2026.
As of 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday (October 9, 2026), Isaias’ center of circulation was located at latitude 28.4° N longitude 87.2° W. That put the storm approximately 145 miles south of Pensacola, Florida. Isaias was moving to the north-northeast at approximately 16 miles per hour.
***
? #TropicsWX Hurricane Isaias drawing a bead on the Gulf coast… https://t.co/sasVOpVouS
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) October 9, 2026
***
With tropical storm force winds extending outward from its center for up to 205 miles, Isaias is already beginning to impact the Gulf coast – with conditions there expected to deteriorate Friday evening as the storm makes landfall.
“Isaias is expected to approach the U.S. northern Gulf Coast this afternoon and make landfall within the warning area this evening,” forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida noted in their latest advisory. “Fluctuations in intensity are possible through this afternoon, but Isaias is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall this evening. Weakening is expected beginning tonight after Isaias makes landfall, and the storm is likely to become post-tropical by late Saturday.”
Storm surges of up to nine feet are projected for portions of the Gulf coast – specifically from the Alabama-Florida border and Grayton Beach, Florida. Rainfall totaling as much as eight inches is expected in certain parts of southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend and southwest Georgia – although some areas could see nearly twice that level of precipitation.
“Flash and urban flooding is possible across the region, with considerable impacts likely across much of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle into southwestern Georgia,” forecasters warned. “River flooding is also expected, some of which could be significant.”
With updated forecast tracks putting the storm’s landfall east of Pensacola, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said his state was ready to roll.
***
Florida ain’t messing around! The state is ready for Major Hurricane Isaias. Never seen so many lineman ready to rock n’ roll. Word is 5000+ trucks just here alone. Escambia County near Pensacola. https://t.co/n0mDxZxGAB
— Mike’s Weather Page (@tropicalupdate) October 9, 2026
***
“Lineman are pre-positioned and ready to roll once the storm passes,” DeSantis wrote on X.
In addition to the flooding anticipated along the Gulf coast, Isaias is also threatening to bring severe weather back to western North Carolina – including areas ravaged during Hurricane Helene two years ago.
“Localized higher amounts up to ten inches are possible, especially across the Southern Appalachians and coastal Carolinas,” forecasters warned.
While the storm threatened No. 6 Alabama’s scheduled football game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday against second-ranked Georgia, school officials are moving forward with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The storm did, however, force U.S. president Donald Trump to cancel his plans to attend the game.
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
***
SOUND OFF…
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
