Tropical Storm Isaias is likely to form by this weekend, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds to homeowners living in the Gulf.
A tropical system forming in the Gulf has homeowners in Florida and the Southeast on alert.
While the National Hurricane Center has yet to name the tropical depression, it’s strengthening at a pace that makes it certain among meteorologists that it will turn into Tropical Storm Isaias by week’s end.
The ninth storm of the 2026 Atlantic season, the Weather Channel reports, could bring flooding rains and damaging winds by the weekend, even if it doesn't reach named-storm status. This means homeowners have just a few days to prepare.
Tracking Tropical Storm Isaias
While the NHC said on Tuesday it was “too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of wind and storm surge impacts,“ it advised residents in the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana to closely monitor the progress of this system.
Plus, even if the storm doesn’t strengthen to a tropical depression level, Southeastern states will be in for a soaking all the same.
The Weather Channel contends that the storm will peter out before having a chance to make landfall.
(NHC) A quiet hurricane season
The short-lived storm aligns with forecasters from NOAA’s National Weather Service prediction that the number of expected named storms this year would be between 7 and 13.
With Isaias coming in at No. 9 and the season coming to a close by November, the weather team seems spot-on.
Tropical storm activity in the Atlantic was expected to be tampered by the super El Nino conditions.
An El Nino increases wind shear, which tends to prevent tropical storms from forming or from getting stronger once formed.
“When El Nino emerges, it usually becomes the dominant factor in total hurricane season activity, and this El Nino continues to get stronger every month,” said Matt Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Preparing for the rain
And yet, even without a major hurricane in the Atlantic this year, homeowners would do well to prepare for the coming storm this weekend.
Tropical Storm Arthur was the very first storm of the season and, while a brief system, it still caused heavy rain and flash‑flood emergencies across the Southeast through mid-June.
Plenty of homes were damaged by the winds and rain, and several areas saw record-breaking rainfall.
For example, New Orleans set a new 70‑year daily rainfall record on June 18, receiving 7.75 inches, surpassing the previous 1.74‑inch record from 1957, according to TWC.
With that in mind, homeowners in Florida, Louisiana, and the Southeast are advised to prepare for the rains this weekend all the same.
The common advice agreed upon by experts includes testing your sump pump, monitoring your septic system, and knowing where your water, electric, and gas valves are located, in case of emergencies.
One common overlooked precaution, however, is checking your gutters. Most homeowners clean out the gutters in spring and summer, but if you live in an area prone to torrential rain, it’s worth upping the cleaning schedule.
Before a storm, inspect your gutters and outdoor drains for clogs, and clean them out if necessary.
“Drains are meant to direct water away from the home, so it is important to keep these areas clear of debris,” says Chris Counahan, president of LeafFilter.
He says if this step is skipped, water can damage the home’s foundation or lead to flooding inside and outside the home.
“It’s possible to do the upkeep yourself, but if too much debris gets down in the drain, it’s best to call in a professional to clean it out,” says Counahan.