Isaias strengthened into the Atlantic season’s first hurricane late Wednesday as it moved toward the US Gulf Coast, with forecasters warning of heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
The National Hurricane Center said the storm was expected to make landfall between Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday. Isaias was located about 460 miles south-southwest of the Mississippi River, packing maximum sustained winds of around 75 mph and moving east-northeast at 9 mph.
The storm’s formation came more than four months into the Atlantic hurricane season, nearly matching a 121-year-old record for the latest first hurricane, set in 1905.
Authorities across the potential impact zone began preparations, with Florida and Alabama declaring states of emergency. Offshore oil and gas producers also suspended part of their operations, with around 25% of regional oil production temporarily halted.
In Alabama, the National Shrimp Festival was canceled, while officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to consider evacuation.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, “While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously.”
Pensacola also positioned utility crews and provided sandbags ahead of possible flooding.
