Hurricane Isaias nears US Gulf Coast; emergency declared in Florida and Alabama
The Category 3 storm, with winds of about 193 kmph, is expected to make landfall near the Alabama-Florida border on Friday night, with evacuation orders issued and oil and gas output shut down.
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A powerful cyclonic storm named Isaias is moving rapidly towards the US coast along the Gulf of Mexico, raising the threat of heavy destruction in the states of Alabama and Florida. On October 9, 2026, the storm reached Category 3 strength, with winds blowing at around 193 km per hour.
Citing the risk of storm surge, heavy rain, flooding and power outages, the administration has begun emergency arrangements. People in some coastal areas have been ordered to move to safer places.
According to the estimate of the National Hurricane Center, Isaias could hit the coast near the Alabama-Florida border on Friday night. Wind speed in the storm has been recorded at up to 193 km per hour. A warning has been issued that sea water on the coast could surge 5 to 7 feet above the normal level.
Some areas could receive up to 15 inches of rain, raising the fear of flash floods. Strong winds could uproot trees, damage buildings and snap power lines. People in coastal areas have therefore been urged to stay alert.
In view of the threat, the Florida and Alabama administrations have taken emergency steps. Evacuation orders have been issued for some coastal areas of Okaloosa County in Florida. A state of emergency has been declared in 40 counties in Alabama.
The administration in the coastal areas of Mississippi is also prepared, given the possibility of flooding and power outages. Rescue teams and National Guard personnel have been deployed to help. Preparations have also been made to keep operations suspended at some airports. Conditions could worsen after the storm makes landfall, and people have been asked to follow the administration's instructions.
The storm has also affected the US energy sector. Workers at oil and natural gas production centres in the Gulf of Mexico have been moved to safety. For safety reasons, staff at 121 oil production platforms have been evacuated. About 63 per cent of the Gulf's oil production and 57 per cent of its natural gas production has been shut down for now.
The storm is estimated to affect about 9 million barrels of oil production. Energy projects in the Gulf are important for the country's oil and gas supply. If production stays shut for long, fuel supply could come under pressure. However, how much global oil prices will be affected will depend on the damage caused by the storm and the time taken to resume production.
