A tropical depression in the Atlantic is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and bring heavy rainfall and high winds to the central Gulf Coast this weekend.
Tropical Depression 9 is expected to impact southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm, which will take the name Isaias, is on track to become a tropical storm by Wednesday and develop into hurricane strength by Thursday. Landfall is forecast for Friday night.
The storm would be the first named Atlantic hurricane of 2026, making it the latest first hurricane since the satellite era began in 1966. Before this year, the latest date an Atlantic hurricane had formed was Sept. 11 (Humberto in 2013 and Gustav in 2002).
Areas in the path of the storm are forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches of rain, with localized totals up to 10 inches, according to the NHC. Flash and urban flooding, along with isolated river flooding, will be possible, the agency said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties in preparation for the storm.
“This order ensures communities have the time and resources necessary to prepare for potential severe weather impacts to the Panhandle and Big Bend region of Florida,” DeSantis wrote on social media.
The storm could interfere with big events planned for this weekend in the Gulf Coast. The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama annually draws over 300,000 visitors. The festival is scheduled to take place Thursday through Sunday.
A couple hundred miles north, Alabama hosts Georgia in a colossal college football game that is expected to feature ESPN’s College Gameday and a visit from President Donald Trump.
Topics
Catastrophe
Natural Disasters
Hurricane
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