# Tropical Storm Isaias Hits US Gulf Coast

> Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to become a major hurricane by Oct 10, threatening US Gulf Coast with heavy rain, storm surges, and possible tornadoes.
- Title: Tropical Storm Isaias Hits US Gulf Coast · The Straits Times
- Summary: Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to become a major hurricane by Oct 10, threatening US Gulf Coast with heavy rain, storm surges, and possible tornadoes…
- Keywords: tropical storm isaias, national hurricane center, gulf coast, hurricane, october 10, storm surge, heavy rain, tornadoes, oil production, gulf of mexico, florida, alabama
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/united-states/tropical-storm-isaias-forecast-to-hit-us-gulf-coast-as-hurricane-early-oct-10
- Published: 2026-10-08T01:27:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tropical storm isaias, national hurricane center, gulf coast, hurricane, october 10, storm surge, heavy rain, tornadoes, oil production, gulf of mexico, florida, alabama
## Tropical Storm Isaias Forecast
Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct 7 and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before slamming into the southern US coast early on Oct 10.
## Potential Impacts
The storm could bring heavy rains, storm surges, and possible tornadoes across several states, with isolated rainfall amounts of 25.4 cm from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
## Oil and Gas Risks
About 11.2 million barrels of oil production could be lost across the Gulf through the storm, a marked increase from the 7.1 million barrels impacted by Tropical Storm Bertha in July.
## Tornado Threat
Tornadoes are possible in the rainbands of Isaias across the Florida panhandle and Alabama from the evening of Oct 9 through Oct 10, with more tornadoes expected further inland.
## Government Response
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for portions of the state on Oct 6, and some officials urged residents to voluntarily evacuate.
## Hurricane Category
Michael Brennan, director of the NHC, said Isaias could be a 'major' hurricane, Category 3 or higher, when it makes landfall with multiple life-threatening impacts.

> major hurricane, Category 3 or higher
## Oil Production Impact
About 25% of current Gulf oil production, or 511,619 barrels per day, has been shut in, with 350 million cubic feet per day of natural gas production also halted.
## Key takeaway

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into a Category 3+ hurricane by early Oct 10, bringing heavy rains, storm surges, and tornado risks to the US Gulf Coast.