Hurricane Isaias has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone following its landfall on Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, continues to move through the southeastern United States. Hundreds of thousands of homes in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia are without power, prompting each state to declare a state of emergency, although no warnings are currently in place after they were lifted on Saturday.
The storm is one of three systems affecting North America this weekend, with the others impacting Mexico and Southern California, fueled by the warm waters of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. Both Florida and Alabama enforced mandatory evacuations for thousands of residents in storm-affected areas.
In Florida, evacuations targeted coastal communities directly in Isaias’ path. Senator Rick Scott urged residents in designated zones to leave immediately, stating on social media, “DO NOT WAIT! Get out NOW!” Meanwhile, Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey ordered all non-residents and tourists to evacuate from counties likely to face severe impacts.
On Saturday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that the President had approved emergency declarations for both states to ensure federal resources are available for assistance.
Hurricane Isaias is notable as the first hurricane to form in this Atlantic season, which has been largely delayed due to El Niño conditions. This marks the first time in over 30 years that no hurricane formed before October.
Ahead of Isaias, the National Hurricane Center warned of “life-threatening storm surge” risks along the US Gulf Coast. However, by Saturday morning, all related warnings had been cancelled. Currently, the post-tropical cyclone is moving north, expected to cross Alabama into the Tennessee Valley over the weekend.
On Friday evening, hurricane-force winds extended up to 35 miles (55 km) from Isaias’ centre, while tropical storm-force winds reached as far as 205 miles (335 km).
