By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-08 10:56:09 | Updated at 2026-10-09 15:22:26
1 day ago
Hurricane Isaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the season this year after developing from a tropical storm, following a decades-long record being broken.
It officially became a Category One hurricane in the early hours of Thursday morning, with meteorological agencies forecasting it could intensify into a Category Two storm in the coming days.
Isaias will bring damaging 74-95 mph winds and torrential rain to parts of the US Gulf Coast.
It is due to make landfall on Friday or Saturday.
Ahead of its arrival, a storm surge is expected, meaning officials have issued both hurricane and storm surge alerts.
The US National Hurricane Center predicts by the time it makes landfall, it will have developed into a Category Two.
Parts of Mexico are likely to be hit first as the storm continues to swirl out at sea.
Some 100mm of rain is possible around the Bay of Campeche and the Yucatan Peninsula, accompanied by strong winds.
Isaias officially developed into a Category One storm on Thursday morning
NOAA
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida could then be in the firing line by late Friday or early Saturday.
Up to 150mm of rain is expected from south-east Louisiana to north-west Florida.
However, in extreme cases, 250mm is possible and could lead to flash flooding, especially in urban areas.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 25 counties.
NOAA has issued a storm warning for the southern US
NOAA
He wrote on X: “We are preparing for Isaias to make landfall in the Mobile-Pensacola region as a Category 3, which is a major hurricane.
“The ‘dirty’ side of the storm is the east side, which is projected to be large. Will mean impacts across the Panhandle.”
Responding to one Florida resident about the reasoning for overpreparing for a Category 3, he said: “Better to prepare for a Category 3 and end up with a weaker storm than to assume a weaker storm and get hit with a 3.
“It would be great if wind shear weakens it, but it might not.”
The coming of Hurricane Isaias brings an end to a record-breaking quiet Atlantic season, which saw zero hurricanes develop in September for the first time in more than 30 years.
The lack of hurricane-force storms can be explained by a very strong El Nino in the Pacific Ocean - responsible for the majority of the planet’s weather systems.
A strong El Nino means more wind shear over the Caribbean and Atlantic, causing storms to be pulled apart before they can develop.
There have been nine tropical storms during the Atlantic season so far, but Isaias is the first to develop into a hurricane.
Isaias caught a lucky break and formed in an area with limited wind shear and high sea temperatures, which have allowed it to grow.
