Hurricane Isaias Rapidly Intensifies as Evacuations Expand on Gulf Coast

Isaias is now a Category 2 hurricane as it barrels toward the Gulf Coast. Get the latest on when and where the first hurricane of the Atlantic season is forecast to hit here.

Isaias Strengthens to a Category 2 Storm as it Approaches the Gulf Coast

Evacuations are expanding across the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Isaias makes its approach. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp have all declared states of emergency in advance of Isaias' imminent arrival. The storm is forecast to make landfall at about 11 pm EST on Friday at some point between Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida.

As of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Isaias is churning in the Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The storm is moving to the northeast at 12 mph. The latest forecast models warn that Isaias could strengthen to a major Category 3 storm before making landfall.

Isaias formed as a tropical storm on Tuesday, bumping up to hurricane status by Wednesday. The storm transitioned from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 2 event on Thursday.

Gov. DeSantis held a press conference on Thursday, urging residents to begin preparations immediately. This includes filling gas tanks and gathering nonperishable food and water. "If you are in the Panhandle, assume that you are going to lose power," DeSantis said. The government went on to tell residents to "Prepare to lose power. That is likely to happen with a storm that is at hurricane status."

Several counties in Florida and Alabama have cancelled classes through the end of the week so that residents can evacuate or hunker down. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Alabama's Dauphin Island, and in Okaloosa, Walton, and Escambia counties in Florida.

The Alabama beach communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach released a statement advising residents to begin evacuation procedures. While evacuation is not yet mandatory, the joint statement noted, "In anticipation of the expected impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are encouraging all non‑residents, and residents living in low-lying, flood-prone areas to voluntarily evacuate. City officials urge all individuals who are not permanent residents to leave the area immediately and relocate to a safer location."

Oil refineries in the region are expected to take a hit from this storm. Shell and Chevron have implemented shut-in production procedures across five of their offshore oil facilities located in the Gulf, effectively removing all non-essential employees. Likewise, BP confirmed that it was removing non-essential personnel and securing its facilities. ExxonMobil said that operations are currently running normally but that they are monitoring the forecast.

Storm to Impact Millions Along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeast

Forecasters warn that Isaias will impact about 30 million people in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle before tracking into Georgia and the rest of the Southeast. A Hurricane Warning is in place in a zone from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay and Gulf County Line in Florida.

In addition, a storm surge warning has been issued along a stretch of the Gulf Coast from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River in Florida's Big Bend region. According to the NHC, "The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline." A storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is likely for Mobile Bay and from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the east to Indian Pass, Florida.

Isaias will also be a major rain producer, unleashing the threat of flash flooding. Widespread rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches are expected for much of the impact zone. Residents should be prepared for the heavy rain to hit on Friday as the storm strengthens.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) issued a flash flood risk on Friday for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and up into southern Tennessee, southwestern North Carolina, and the western edge of South Carolina. A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood risk is in effect for Mobile, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle west of Panama City. 

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