Hurricane Isaias: Warnings for Florida as first hurricane of the year approaches

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Warnings for Florida as first hurricane of the year approaches Anna Loren Wednesday 07 October 2026 15:29 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to be significant hurricane at landfall Tropical Storm Isaias has formed off the eastern coast of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into the Atlantic basin's first hurricane of the year. Initial projections suggest the storm could make landfall between eastern Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of up to 110 mph. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 25 counties to allow communities adequate time and resources to prepare. Meteorologists have warned of potential life-threatening coastal flooding, dangerous winds exceeding 74 mph, and tornadoes along the northern Gulf Coast. Energy companies Shell and BP have evacuated non-essential personnel from offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of the storm's arrival. In full DeSantis declares state of emergency in Florida as Hurricane Isaias set to make landfall