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Millions of Americans along Hurricane Isaias’ projected path have been placed under a threat-to-life warning as the storm advances toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.
In an alert issued Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents to prepare for potentially deadly winds equivalent to Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane strength.
“Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed,” the NWS said.
Hurricane warnings are in effect along portions of the Mississippi coast, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, including Pascagoula, Mobile, Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Destin and Panama City.
The warning zone extends inland to communities such as Citronelle, Bay Minette and Brewton in Alabama, along with Milton and Crestview in Florida.
The weather service is calling on residents in affected areas to complete preparations immediately and reach secure shelter before conditions deteriorate.
Isaias, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to intensify into a Category 2 storm before reaching land just east of Mobile Bay, Alabama, late Friday night. It is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.
AccuWeather hurricane specialists warned that Isaias could strengthen into a major hurricane before landfall, potentially producing a deadly storm surge, destructive winds, torrential rain, tornadoes and widespread power outages.
Isaias rapidly intensified in the Gulf on Wednesday night. Forecasters expect the hurricane to reach the U.S. coast late Friday evening or early Saturday morning
Forecast models show Isaias approaching the U.S. coast Friday, with landfall expected from Friday evening into early Saturday between Biloxi, Mississippi, and Panama City, Florida
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in parts of Florida as newly formed Hurricane Isaias threatens the Gulf Coast with life-threatening flooding and powerful winds.
The storm formed in the Gulf on Wednesday night, setting a record as the latest first hurricane of an Atlantic season since satellite monitoring began.
AccuWeather meteorologists currently expect Isaias to be a Category 2 hurricane when it reaches the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or in the early hours of Saturday.
A hurricane warning extends from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, along the Alabama coastline to the Florida Bay/Gulf county line. Storm surge could inundate some coastal locations with five to seven feet of water.
The threat has prompted evacuations in Florida’s Okaloosa and Gulf counties, while the remainder of the Panhandle is under a state of emergency. Alabama has declared a state of emergency in counties along its Gulf Coast.
The National Weather Service issued an urgent appeal to millions of people in Isaias’ projected path, warning: “Evacuation efforts should soon be brought to completion before driving conditions become unsafe.”
“Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives.”
AccuWeather’s forecast places Isaias moving northeast across the Gulf on Thursday before turning north toward the U.S. coastline on Friday.
Residents have been urged to prepare immediately as the hurricane draws closer to the U.S. coast. Above, the owners of the Islander Ice Cream restaurant in Gulf Breeze, Florida
Hurricane warnings cover parts of the Mississippi coast, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, including Pascagoula, Mobile, Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Destin and Panama City. Above, residents prepare for potentially life-threatening flooding
The storm is projected to reach Category 1 hurricane strength by 8pm ET Thursday, then strengthen to Category 2 before making landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama border around 11pm ET Friday.
Based on Isaias making landfall as a Category 2, wind gusts of 100 to 120mph are forecast near and just east of the center.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter warned: ‘However, because of the swift forward speed and broadening wind field of Isaias as the storm moves inland, damaging winds and power outages are likely to extend well inland.’
The NWS told communities from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Gulf County, Florida, to prepare for the possibility of ‘long-duration power outages.’
Monster storm surges of up to seven feet near and east of Isaias’ center are also expected for the Northern Gulf Coast, with towns and cities in Mississippi and Florida’s Panhandle hit the hardest.
However, AccuWeather meteorologists warned that the ‘most substantial impact from the brewing storm will be from heavy rainfall.’
Isaias is forecast to dump three to seven inches of rain across the central Gulf Coast from Friday through the weekend, with isolated totals of up to 10 inches and flash flooding possible.
Panic buying hit states in Isaias’ path, with locals stocking up on everything from toilet paper to water and bread, leaving shelves empty
Gast stations were packed with cars ahead of the storm
Fears of a devastating storm have left shelves empty in towns and cities along the US Gulf Coast, as locals stock up on everything from toilet paper to water and canned food.
Images on social media show long lines at gas stations and depleted supermarket shelves.
Florida local Stephen Page posted on Facebook: ‘Stores are already run over, and shelves are empty at many places.
‘Lines at gas stations are long, and people are in full prep mode. So again, I say, if you haven’t started, now is the time!’
Another Floridian, Stephanie Michelle, said she experienced panic buying at the grocery store.
Based on Isaias making landfall as a Category 2, wind gusts of 100 to 120mph are forecast near and just east of the center
‘The store was full, the parking lot was full, shelves were empty, and the carts were all full! People were everywhere, and traffic was a nightmare,’ she added.
The Atlantic has yet to produce a hurricane in 2026, putting the season within reach of a record set in 1905 for the latest first hurricane.
If forecast models are correct and Isaias develops into a hurricane, it would be deemed a record-breaking storm.
Meteorologist Matt Devitt said on X: ‘Isaias will likely be one of the most significant storms of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season with a landfall in the US.’
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