Hurricane Isaias is making its way toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing significant concern as it becomes the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. As of Thursday, various parts of Florida are facing mandatory evacuations and school closures due to the impending storm.
Isaias is expected to strengthen quickly, bringing with it powerful winds and a dangerous storm surge that could impact areas like the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi. The storm is likely to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday, with heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding reaching as far as the Tennessee Valley.
As of early Thursday morning, Isaias was reported to have maximum sustained winds of around 80 mph (129 kph) and was moving east-northeast at 9 mph (15 kph). The hurricane was located approximately 420 miles (676 kilometers) south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
In anticipation of the storm, coastal communities have taken swift action. Some Gulf oil wells have paused production, and several Florida school districts have canceled classes for the week. Mandatory evacuations have been announced in Okaloosa County, while both Florida and Alabama governors declared a state of emergency for numerous counties.
The National Weather Service has warned residents from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Gulf County, Florida, to prepare for potential “long-duration power outages.”
Interestingly, Isaias formed quite late in the hurricane season, more than four months in. It was just one day shy of tying a record set in 1905 for the latest-forming hurricane in the Atlantic, which occurred on October 8.
This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet, largely due to a strong El Niño, which typically suppresses storm formation in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Pacific has seen above-average storm activity, with Tropical Storm Simon forming off Mexico just days ago.
Isaias is headed towards an area that has experienced some of the most devastating hurricanes in history. For instance, Hurricane Camille in 1969 resulted in over 250 fatalities after striking near Waveland, Mississippi. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans and claimed nearly 1,400 lives, while Hurricane Michael devastated Panama City, Florida, in 2018.
The looming hurricane is already impacting oil production and tourism in the region. Oil and gas producers have started to halt a significant portion of offshore production in the Gulf, which plays a crucial role in the U.S. crude supply, accounting for nearly 15% of annual production. As of Wednesday, approximately 25% of the oil production in the Gulf was temporarily stopped, removing about 511,000 barrels a day from the market.
With oil prices already high, these production cuts could further strain the market. Experts, like Jim Burkhard from S&P Global Energy, note that while these disruptions are significant, previous hurricanes have caused even larger impacts. The key concern remains whether Isaias will hit refineries with its full strength.
In addition to affecting oil production, Isaias may also disrupt college football games scheduled for Saturday, including a highly anticipated rivalry game between Georgia and Alabama, which President Donald Trump plans to attend.
In Alabama, cities like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate voluntarily. Gulf Shores resident Maranie Adams shared her family’s preparations as they moved belongings to higher ground, including taking care of their chickens. “We’re having to get crates to bring them into the house so they don’t blow away,” she remarked.
Both Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have declared states of emergency in their respective states, with Florida planning to deploy an urban search and rescue task force from Miami.
In Pensacola, local electric utilities have prepped crews to swiftly address any power outages that may occur, while city officials are providing sand for residents to fill sandbags to protect their homes from flooding. Mayor D.C. Reeves has advised community members to check on elderly neighbors, emphasizing that preparation is key. “Obviously no need to panic at this point,” he said during a news conference. “This is really about preparation.”
As the hurricane approaches, staying informed and prepared is essential. Communities are urged to listen to local officials and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
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Rico reported from Atlanta, Collins from Hartford, Connecticut, and Golden from Seattle. Associated Press journalists Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, and Julie Walker in New York contributed to this report.
