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Tropical Storm Isaias is strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast.
As of Wednesday (October 7), Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving east-northeast at 8 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is expected to become a hurricane Thursday and approach the Gulf Coast Friday, with landfall possible late Friday or early Saturday.
A hurricane watch is in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida. The National Hurricane Center said the risk of damaging hurricane-force winds is increasing across portions of Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
A storm surge watch extends from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida.
Mobile, Alabama, is among the communities under a hurricane and storm surge watch. The National Weather Service has identified Mobile, Prichard and Theodore as affected locations, with tropical-storm-force winds possible Friday afternoon into early Saturday (October 10).
Mobile is a majority-Black city, with Black residents making up 50.4% of its population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Weather.com reported that Isaias could make landfall anywhere from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with the strongest impacts expected along and east of the storm's path.
Heavy rain could begin Friday, with 3 to 6 inches expected in many areas and isolated totals reaching 10 inches. Storm surge flooding, damaging winds, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
The National Hurricane Center is urging residents in the storm surge watch area to follow guidance from local officials and evacuate if instructed.
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