Hurricane Isaias live updates: Storm may hold Category 3 power at landfall, ominous updated track shows

Hurricane Isaias whipped up to Category 3 strength Friday as it careened toward the Gulf Coast — and new models show it may maintain that major intensity all the way to landfall tonight, forecasters said in an ominous update. The “life-threatening” first hurricane of the 2026 season is expected to hit the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi late Friday or early Saturday, with “extremely dangerous and damaging hurricane force-winds” of 120 mph, storm surge as high as 9 feet and even tornadoes in spots, the National Weather Service warned. Hurricane Isaias poses a major threat to life and property as it barrels toward the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm Friday, forecasters warn. FOX Weather Follow live updates on Hurricane Isaias for the latest weather maps, tracker, photos and more: 46 minutes ago Hurricane Isaias to keep Category 3 intensity all the way to landfall, forecasters say in major update By Kaydi Pelletier The newest Hurricane Isaias model from the National Hurricane Center indicates the storm could maintain its major Category 3 intensity all the way to landfall — after earlier models showed it was set to weaken at least slightly before hitting the Gulf Coast late Friday. Hurricane Isaias likely won't weaken from Category 3 strength before landfall after all, forecasters said in an ominous major update late Friday morning. FOX Weather Isaias' "current forward speed and deeply organized core" now look set to propel it toward the Florida-Alabama line before wind shear can disrupt the cyclone enough for it to downgrade to Category 2, as meteorologists were expecting. 59 minutes ago In Florida Panhandle, parts of Alabama, Mississippi, people 'should have a safe room' to ride out Hurricane Isaias: NWS By Kaydi Pelletier "Extremely dangerous and damaging hurricane force-winds" from Hurricane Isaias will especially impact the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi, the National Weather Service warned shortly after 11 a.m. ET Friday. Residents in those areas, where a hurricane warning is in effect, "should have a safe room to ride out the storm and prepare for long-duration power outages," the NWS added. 10/09/2026 Update: The center of Major Category 3 Hurricane Isaias is expected to reach the western Florida Panhandle Coast this evening, however conditions along the Gulf Coast will deteriorate throughout the day TODAY. Isaias is expected to be at or near major hurricane… pic.twitter.com/oFQ0FjmRet — National Weather Service (@NWS) October 9, 2026 While the monster storm isn't expected to make landfall until this evening, "conditions along the Gulf Coast will deteriorate throughout the day TODAY," the NWS warned. The service will now give updates every hour as Isaias spins ever closer to the southern states. 1 hour ago Increased storm surge — up to 9 feet — to wallop 'vulnerable coastal areas' By Kaydi Pelletier A life-threatening storm surge forecast to accompany Hurricane Isaias when it descends on the Gulf Coast late Friday night has increased, with meteorologists now warning that "vulnerable coastal areas" of northwest Florida could be inundated with powerful floodwaters of 6 to 9 feet above normally dry ground. A life-threatening storm surge from Hurricane Isaias could reach 9 feet in spots, forecasters warn Friday. FOX Weather The highest-risk area ranges from the Alabama/Florida state line east to Grayton Beach, Mobile's local Fox outlet reports . 2 hours ago Hurricane Isaias winds reach a whopping 120 mph By Kaydi Pelletier Hurricane Isaias is packing maximum sustained winds of a wild 120 mph as of Friday morning, forecasters confirmed. The eye of Hurricane Isaias as the Category 3 cyclone swirls toward the Gulf Coast on Friday. CIRA / NOAA A family walks along Florida's Pensacola Beach, where incoming Hurricane Isaias churns the ocean waves on Friday, Oct. 9. Getty Images Wind speeds that intense promise to be destructive when the storm makes landfall in just hours, leading to potentially prolonged power outages, life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and tornadoes, local outlets are warning . 2 hours ago Hurricane Isaias intensifies to Category 3 storm ahead of landfall tonight: latest forecast By Kaydi Pelletier Hurricane Isaias picked up speed and strength, morphing into a Category 3 storm ahead of its expected landfall Friday night. Watch the latest forecast from Fox Weather: