Isaias becomes the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, with warnings from Mississippi to Florida

Isaias strengthened into the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season late Wednesday in the Gulf. A hurricane warning runs from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida, and a storm surge warning covers the mouth of the Mississippi River to Steinhatchee, Florida. Forecasters expect landfall on the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday, possibly as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. Florida and Alabama have declared states of emergency.