Hurricane Isaias Strengthens, Threatens Up To 9-Foot Storm Surge

The hurricane approaching the northern Gulf Coast has been upgraded to a major Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph — and it threatens to bring heavy rain, severe flooding, tornadoes, and power outages to the western Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and other parts of the Southeast. 

Hurricane Isaias, the first of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, is set to make landfall near the Pensacola, Florida, area Friday evening with a life-threatening storm surge of up to 9 feet. Coastal Alabama to Port St. Joe could also see 5 to 7 feet. Forecasters expect some weakening before the hurricane hits land, but warn Isaias will remain dangerous regardless of its exact strength. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for several coastal counties.

BREAKING: Isaias is now a Category 3 hurricane, the first of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and the first in the Atlantic Basin since Hurricane Melissa last October. READ MORE: https://t.co/ynIBWnCvOM https://t.co/5rcCJ7wUgM

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 9, 2026

Forecasters predict 15 inches of rain along the coast and warn that tornadoes on the east side of the hurricane could also flare up.

Tornadoes! Aggressive Nadocast forecast for Hurricane Isaias bottom. SPC also showing idea top. Conditions might allow little more chances, especially on the eastern side. https://t.co/vC1PyUz5vb https://t.co/iPxbLOqURr

— Mike’s Weather Page (@tropicalupdate) October 8, 2026

“Now we know this is gonna be a major event in one way or another,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Friday morning. “We tell people, assume you are going to lose power … so make sure you have what you need — gasoline, any prescriptions, nonperishable food, water — to be able to get you through this, particularly 72-hour period.”

On Saturday, heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected across the entire Southeast. Some cities that could be affected include Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Wilmington, Charleston, Tallahassee, and Orlando, according to the Weather Channel.

Parts of the Southeast, Appalachia, the Ohio Valley, and the mid-Atlantic may see flash flooding related to Isaias over the weekend as well.