Tropical weather targets both US coasts at same time for first time in more than 50 years

A potentially catastrophic weather pattern is heading toward the US, with two tropical storms set to simultaneously slam both coasts this weekend — a freak occurrence that hasn’t happened in 50 years. Hurricane Isaias continues to barrel toward the Gulf Coast Thursday— becoming the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season — and could slam the Alabama coast and Florida panhandle Friday. Meanwhile, the remnants of Hurricane Rachel are expected to send a surge of tropical moisture into California and the Southwest , triggering heavy rain and flooding this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. 3 Hurricane Isaias — the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season — continues to strengthen in the Gulf of America. FOX Weather Follow live updates on Hurricane Isaias to track the storm’s path, get the latest news, and more The meteorological witch’s brew could mark only the third time since 1963 that competing storms have made landfall along the East and West coasts at the same time. Explore More Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan’s execution by firing squad will be livestreamed: Pentagon Full texts between ‘Cornell 7’ Jane Doe, frat brother she later accused of rape revealed States of emergency declared in Florida, Georgia, Alabama — as Isaias strengthens into Category 2 The last time this occurred was Sept. 6, 1972, when Tropical Depression Dawn impacted the Atlantic side of the US while Post-Tropical Hyacinth affected the West. A similar setup occurred on Sept. 18, 1963, when Tropical Storm Cindy slammed the Atlantic side while Tropical Depression Jen-Kath affected the Pacific side. 3 Tropical systems threaten both US coasts — for the first time since 1972 — as Isaias nears the Gulf and Rachel impacts the West. FOX Weather 3 Isaias is forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday between Gulfport, Mississippi, and Panama City, Florida. CIRA CSU/FOX Weather Now, more than five decades later, another potential “tale of two coasts” is unfolding. Hurricane Isaias — which formed in the Bay of Campeche — is expected to strengthen as it moves north toward the Gulf Coast, prompting hurricane and storm surge warnings. The first rains are forecasted for Friday morning, and the storm is expected to make landfall later that day or early Saturday between Gulfport, Mississippi and Panama City, Florida. The storm has put the University of Alabama on high alert ahead of its heavyweight football matchup against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, which President Trump is scheduled to attend, the school told AL.com. Meanwhile, Californians, meanwhile, are advised to prepare for coastal flooding, beach erosion and sudden temperature drops — and potentially 15-foot waves. Rachel is expected to weaken into a post-tropical system before reaching Southern California, meaning the biggest threat won’t be hurricane-force winds but rather heavy rain, thunderstorms and dangerous surf.