Hurricane Isaias lashes U.S. Gulf Coast with wind and rain hours before it comes ashore

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A drone view shows the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk area as Hurricane Isaias moves through the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen before reaching the U.S. Gulf Coast, in Pensacola Beach, Florida, U.S., on October 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Homeowners gassed up generators, filled bathtubs with water and bought last-minute supplies along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday (October 9, 2026) while Hurricane Isaias gained strength as it charged toward the beaches of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

The Category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane — the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season — and is expected to make landfall Friday (October 9, 2026) night.

Forecasters warned of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, flooding and possibly even tornadoes before the storm loses steam as it moves inland and delivers strong winds and rain well north into Atlanta.

Tropical storm-force winds began to lash the Gulf shoreline around midday, hours before Isaias was expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle. The low-lying coastal area is known for its powdery white sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.

Residents in Panama City, Florida, braved the rain while filling sandbags Friday to protect their houses.

“I mean, it's just the nature of the beast. It's Florida," said Corliss Stone, who works for the fire department.

One of the biggest concerns is a storm surge that could be as high as 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters), according to the National Hurricane Center. Places most at risk include Florida's Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Anne Petzold, who lives with her husband in the Florida beach community of Gulf Breeze, said everyone in their neighborhood planned to ride out the storm. The couple installed hurricane shutters, picked up anything in their yard that could turn into a projectile and have two generators ready if they lose power.

“Everybody does what they can do, everybody asks if they need help — they ask for help, they offer help. All good,” she said. “It's just another adventure.”

Neighbor Jay Brazzell said he went through a checklist of things to do, including stocking up on ice and gasoline. He decided to stay put because Isaias isn't as powerful as other hurricanes he's experienced.

“I mean I'm not boarding up,” said Brazzell, 69. “I've been through, this being, the ninth hurricane.”

Dangerous conditions are expected throughout the western panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center said. Rain began falling along the coast Friday morning, and tropical storm conditions were picking up in the early afternoon.