Florida and Alabama governors declare states of emergency for several counties.
The National Hurricane Center reported on Friday that Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 season, had strengthened to a Category 3 with sustained winds of up to 120 miles per hour as it heads toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Isaias is projected to make landfall around the Alabama-Florida state line late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. Weather officials estimated the hurricane could weaken to a Category 2 storm ahead of landfall.
The National Hurricane Center stated, “Extremely dangerous and damaging hurricane force-winds are expected over portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi where a Hurricane Warning… is in effect. Residents in these areas should have a safe room to ride out the storm and prepare for long-duration power outages.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey ordered evacuations along parts of the state’s coast on Thursday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that approximately 5,000 National Guard troops would mobilize Friday ahead of the hurricane’s landfall. Multiple Florida school districts canceled classes for the end of the week, and several counties issued mandatory evacuations of coastal communities. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp joined the Florida and Alabama governors in declaring states of emergency for dozens of counties. Southeast Louisiana is under tropical storm and storm surge warnings.
An Alabama meteorologist stated that the storm should move quickly enough that it would have a minimal impact on the Georgia-Alabama college football game Saturday evening.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the governors of the Gulf Coast states as they take precautions and issue evacuations for areas forecast to be in the storm’s path.
- For National Guard members, first responders, and linemen as they prepare to assist with safety and recovery measures.
- For residents in the impacted areas to comply with emergency declaration and evacuation orders.
Sources: WDSU 6, AP News, USA Today, Fox Weather, News Nation Now
