Hurricane Isaias Strengthens to Category 2 Toward Gulf Coast

Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Thursday, with sustained winds up to 105 mph, as it churned north toward the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center via ABC News.

How strong is Hurricane Isaias right now?

As of Thursday night, Isaias carried winds of 105 mph with higher gusts and sat roughly 260 miles from the Mississippi coast, ABC News reported, citing the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters said the storm could briefly become a major hurricane early Friday before some weakening sets in. Even with that expected weakening, the outlet reported Isaias "will remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast late Friday."

Where is Isaias forecast to make landfall?

Landfall is projected for Friday night, with the latest track shifting the storm slightly east toward a point closer to Pensacola, according to ABC News. Forecasters expect the hurricane to weaken to Category 1 strength by the time it reaches shore. A hurricane warning covers the stretch from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay-Gulf County line in Florida — an upgrade from the hurricane watch issued earlier in the week, the report said. Storm surge warnings are also in effect for parts of the northern Gulf Coast.

Why is Isaias called the "latest first hurricane" on record?

Isaias is the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, and its late arrival makes it the latest-forming first hurricane on record, according to ABC News. The storm first reached hurricane strength late Wednesday night before intensifying further into a Category 2 system on Thursday.

What evacuation orders are in effect?

Florida has issued evacuation orders for several coastal and low-lying counties, with evacuation centers already set up, ABC News reported. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey ordered a mandatory evacuation for non-residents, tourists and visitors in Baldwin County south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway — including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach — and on Dauphin Island in Mobile County, according to a video statement cited in the report.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged compliance at a Thursday news conference: "If you are in those evacuation zones, heed the call," DeSantis said, according to ABC News. "There's options, there's shelters, you have family, friends, however you want to do it. Let the storm pass and then go on and get everything situated again."

What have Florida and Alabama officials done to prepare?

Florida declared a state of emergency for 25 counties Tuesday evening, and Alabama followed Wednesday with an emergency declaration covering 40 counties, ABC News reported. DeSantis said he mobilized the Florida National Guard along with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Highway Patrol to stockpile supplies, restore power after outages and support evacuations. Rain from Isaias is also expected to reach areas as far as the New Orleans-to-Pensacola corridor, according to the forecast cited by ABC News.