Isaias becomes first hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season, threatens northern Gulf Coast. See maps, forecast path.

Updated on: October 7, 2026 / 11:59 PM EDT / CBS News

Hurricane Isaias strengthened from a tropical storm late Wednesday night and is expected to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend, threatening parts of Mississippi, Alabama and the western part of the Florida panhandle. It is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for more than two dozen counties in his state, which directed resources to prepare for potential severe impacts from the storm, while Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a similar state of emergency for 40 counties.

A hurricane warning was issued Wednesday for the northern Gulf Coast, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, across Alabama to Florida's Bay/Gulf County line.

Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was located about 460 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters said they expected Hurricane Isaias, pronounced "ees-ah-EE-ahs," to pass to the north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday before proceeding toward the Gulf Coast on Friday. It is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast of the U.S. late Friday or early Saturday, the hurricane…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/