Isaias Intensifies to Category 1 Hurricane, Threatening Gulf Coast with Surge and Rain
Tropical Storm Isaias has intensified into the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, with sustained winds reaching 75 mph. The National Hurricane Center forecasts landfall between eastern Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday. While the storm may peak as a Category 2, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm or lower-end hurricane upon landfall due to high wind shear. Residents in 25 Florida counties and 40 Alabama counties are under state of emergency declarations, with mandatory evacuations issued in parts of the Florida Panhandle. Primary hazards include 3 to 10 inches of rain, storm surge of 5 to 7 feet, and potential tornadoes.