Hurricane Isaias, carrying maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, is on the cusp of becoming a major hurricane as it closes in on the U.S. northern Gulf Coast. The storm was located about 245 miles south of Pensacola, Florida, and roughly 170 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River at 7:00 AM CDT on Friday, October 9, 2026, moving north-northeast at 15 mph. Residents in the storm surge and hurricane warning areas have only a few hours left to complete preparations before landfall tonight or early Saturday.
What the current advisory shows
The National Hurricane Center’s intermediate advisory reports that Isaias is expected to turn more toward the north later today. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found a minimum central pressure of 958 mb, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reaching out 185 miles. Forecasters expect the storm to become a major hurricane this morning and remain a dangerous hurricane when it crosses the coast.
Watches and warnings in effect
- Storm Surge Warning: Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River.
- Hurricane Warning: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line, Florida.
- Tropical Storm Warning: Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish Line, Louisiana, to west of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and east of the Bay/Gulf County Line to the Aucilla River, Florida.
- Storm Surge Watch: Suwannee River to Yankeetown, Florida.
A Storm Surge Warning means life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland is expected. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area, so preparations should be rushed to completion.
Storm surge forecast by area
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast where onshore winds push the surge ashore, accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Forecast peak surge heights above ground if the peak occurs at high tide:
- Alabama/Florida border to Grayton Beach, FL: 6 to 9 feet.
- Dauphin Island, AL, to the Alabama/Florida border: 4 to 6 feet.
- Grayton Beach, FL, to Indian Pass, FL: 4 to 7 feet.
- Indian Pass, FL, to the Steinhatchee River, FL: 4 to 6 feet.
- Steinhatchee River, FL, to the Suwannee River, FL: 3 to 5 feet.
- Mouth of the Mississippi River, LA, to Dauphin Island, AL: 3 to 5 feet.
- Mobile Bay: 3 to 5 feet.
- Suwannee River, FL, to Yankeetown, FL: 2 to 4 feet.
Wind, rainfall, and tornado threats
Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area from tonight into early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions beginning later today. Isaias is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, and southwest Georgia, with localized totals up to 15 inches possible in banding across the Panhandle and Big Bend. Across much of the rest of the Southeast, 2 to 5 inches are expected, with localized higher amounts up to 10 inches possible in the Southern Appalachians and coastal Carolinas. Flash, urban, and river flooding are all expected, with significant river flooding possible.
A tornado risk begins late this afternoon in coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and far southwest Georgia, and continues Saturday across eastern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Swells from Isaias are also creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Next update
The next complete advisory is scheduled for 10:00 AM CDT. For information specific to your area, the National Hurricane Center advises monitoring products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
FAQ
Where is Hurricane Isaias expected to make landfall?
Isaias is forecast to approach the U.S. northern Gulf Coast on Friday afternoon and make landfall within the Hurricane Warning area, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida, on Friday night or early Saturday.
How strong is Hurricane Isaias right now?
Maximum sustained winds are 110 mph, and the storm is expected to become a major hurricane on Friday morning. The minimum central pressure measured by Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 958 mb.
What areas are under a storm surge warning?
A Storm Surge Warning covers the coast from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River in Florida, with forecast peak surge heights up to 6 to 9 feet above ground along parts of the Alabama/Florida border to Grayton Beach, Florida.
Related coverage
This article summarizes reporting from nhc.noaa.gov.