Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, is rapidly making its approach to the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, is rapidly making its approach to the Gulf Coast of the United States.
The storm officially reached hurricane status on Wednesday evening and is now expected to make landfall on Friday, Oct. 9.
Some areas of Florida are already being evacuated, and there is a storm surge warning stretching all the way to Alabama.
Homeowners along the Gulf and into the Southeast are in for a rainy, rough weekend to say the least.
When will Hurricane Isaias make landfall?
Landfall is expected on Friday night or early Saturday. By then, meteorologists predict the storm will have strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane, with a flood threat expanding farther inland than initially anticipated.
Florida had previously put in a state of emergency late on Tuesday, and was soon followed by Alabama, where residents along the Gulf Shores and Mobile could expect 6 to 10 inches, starting early Friday afternoon with the heaviest rain Friday evening through night, according to CNN.
The same goes for Pensacola, FL, which the outlet reports will also experience hurricane-force gusts from 9 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, with peak gusts expected to hit 80 to 100 mph.
According to the Weather Channel, cities such as Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, Atlanta, Wilmington, Charleston, Tallahassee, FL, and Orlando, FL, could be hit the hardest by the rainfall.
By Sunday, Isaias will begin to peter out in strength as it moves north, bringing rainfall to parts of the Great Lakes and even the Northeast, bringing rain to Washington, DC, New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Flash flooding risks starting on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) 
Rainfall totals expected, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) 
The bread aisle in a Walmart store is empty as people stock up ahead of Hurricane Isaias. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 
An NOAA forecast map shows tropical storm–force wind speed probabilities across the Gulf of Mexico and Southern United States for Hurricane Isaias. Color-coded probability zones highlight storm impacts extending northward from the Gulf toward Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. (NOAA) How homeowners can prepare
Preparing for severe storms and hurricanes is a year-round commitment, but if you find yourself in the midst of a last-minute scramble, there are still some smart moves you can make before Hurricane Isaias
Regardt “Reggie” J. Ferreira, professor of social work and director of the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy at Tulane University, shares the first steps that will keep your home safe.
“Focus on a few critical actions: Bring outdoor furniture and loose objects inside, secure doors and windows, and clear gutters and drainage areas if it is safe to do so. “
He then suggests turning your attention to frequently overlooked vulnerability.
“The garage door can be particularly susceptible to damage during a hurricane,” he says
As the largest opening in a home, if left unsecured, the garage door is susceptible to high-force winds that can cause it to buckle and, in extreme cases, penetrate the garage, potentially ripping apart the roof.
Once you’ve covered the home, then think about taking care of yourself and your loved ones.
“Make sure you have an emergency ‘go bag’ with medications, identification, essential supplies, and important documents,” he adds. “Keep digital copies of insurance policies, property records, and personal identification securely stored and accessible.”
Most importantly, he says, know your evacuation route and leave immediately if authorities issue an evacuation order.
And when the storm passes, Ferreira recommends homeowners take stock and start prepping for the next storm now.
“My biggest advice to homeowners is to think about disaster resilience as a long-term investment, not something we only worry about when a storm is approaching,” he says.
“Understand the risks in your area and what your home faces, take practical steps to reduce those risks before disaster strikes. Equally important is knowing what resources are available to help.
“Many communities offer mitigation programs, financial assistance, and other resources that homeowners may not even be aware of,” he adds.
“At the end of the day, building resilience is about planning ahead, making informed decisions, and putting yourself and your family in a better position to withstand and recover from a disaster.”