Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 3 as Gulf states declare emergencies

Storm strength and landfall timing

Isaias is churning in the northern Gulf of Mexico as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds above 111mph (178kph), according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Its 11am ET update said that predicted wind shear, which had been expected to weaken the storm before landfall, might not arrive in time. Isaias is the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season and picked up power on Friday morning as it turned north through the Gulf. NHC hurricane specialist Robbie Berg wrote in the latest advisory that a series of regional models suggest the storm could keep its strength until landfall.

all suggest that Isaias could maintain major hurricane intensity up until its landfall this evening.

AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys described the storm's position in a statement.

Isaias is in a race against the clock.

Roys said strong winds high in the atmosphere are expected to disrupt the hurricane before landfall, but if they arrive a few hours later than expected, Isaias could hold Category 3 strength.

Warnings along the coast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is warning of life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds and flooding in parts of Florida, Mississippi and Alabama. Berg wrote that sustained hurricane-force winds will likely occur near and along the storm's track up to 100 miles inland into southern Alabama. Gusts to hurricane force could extend farther north into central Alabama, and Berg said weakening will occur after landfall. Roys said that whether Isaias makes landfall as a Category 2 or Category 3 hurricane, Gulf Coast communities face a serious threat from life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding.

State emergencies

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis placed 25 counties under a state of emergency on Tuesday, urging people to have a plan and stock up on emergency supplies. The order mostly impacts the Panhandle and Big Bend regions, including the cities of Pensacola and Panama City. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey placed 40 counties under a state of emergency until next Wednesday, including Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Washington counties.

Several Alabama government offices will also shut early on Friday as residents prepare for the storm. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared the entire state under a state of emergency on Wednesday and wrote on X:

I encourage all Georgians to prepare now by stocking up on food, batteries, flashlights, water, and other necessities.