From NPR · · 3m
Category 2 hurricane Isaias bears down on Gulf Coast
Hurricane Isaias strengthened to Category 2 as it approached the U.S. Gulf Coast, prompting evacuations and emergency preparations across Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
In brief
Hurricane Isaias strengthened to Category 2 as it approached the U.S. Gulf Coast, prompting evacuations and emergency preparations across Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane and was forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday along the northern Gulf…
Isaias becomes Category 2 hurricane
Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane as it barreled toward the U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday, October 9, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
Storm headed for dangerous landfall
The first hurricane of the Atlantic season was forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi with dangerous conditions.
National Hurricane Center warns of danger
Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Isaias would be dangerous when it makes landfall and urged people to prepare and reach safe places by tomorrow.
“We are expecting Isaias to be a dangerous hurricane when it makes landfall.”
Governors order evacuations underway
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey ordered non-residents to immediately evacuate Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island.
Storm surge and rain pose major threats
Water from storm surge and high tide could reach heights of five to seven feet in parts of Alabama and Mississippi.
Dauphin Island mayor prepares for worst
On Dauphin Island, a fifteen-mile barrier island off the Alabama coast, Mayor Jeff Collier said he did not anticipate substantial damage but acknowledged these storms are unpredictable and officials must prepare for the worst.
“these things are very fickle and a little jog here or there, or some last-minute increase in strength, we just have to be prepared for the worst.”
Isaias formed unusually late in season
Isaias developed more than four months into the Atlantic hurricane season and was one day short of tying a one hundred twenty-one-year-old record for the area's latest-forming hurricane, which dates to October eighth, nineteen oh…
El Niño kept Atlantic unusually quiet
The Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually quiet this year because of a strong El Niño, which disrupts storm formation over the Atlantic. Storm activity has been above average in the Pacific instead.
Oil production halted in the Gulf
Oil and gas producers shut down a significant share of offshore production in the Gulf, which accounts for almost fifteen percent of crude pumped annually in the U.S.
Residents prepare for storm impact
In Loxley, Alabama, Nichole Eubanks and her husband prepared to ride out the storm on their farm with dozens of animals.
“It's definitely scary, and you never really know where these storms are going to go and how bad it's going to be until it gets there.”
Pensacola airport closes, mayor urges preparation
In Pensacola, Florida, officials said the airport will close to commercial flights Friday morning.Mayor D.C.
“Obviously no need to panic at this point. This is really about preparation.”
The key point
Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane and was forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast with dangerous winds and heavy rain.
