Storm preparations wrap up across across the Gulf, Panhandle as Hurricane Isaias makes landfall
This comes as more than 30 million people across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia are expected to experience the worst of Isaias.
Hurricane winds hammer Florida as Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast
Hurricane force winds are hammering Destin, Florida, where FOX Weather Senior Field Correspondent Robert Ray is braving the blast fueled by the dangerous Category 3 Hurricane Isaias forecast to make landfall in just a few hours.
Hurricane Isaias inches closer to the Southeast, threatening the northern Gulf Coast with dangerous winds, storm surge, flooding and even tropical tornadoes as it approaches landfall as a Category 2 storm.
The rapid development and strengthening of Hurricane Isaias have given millions across the Gulf Coast only days to prepare, as sandbag distributions, school closures, emergency declarations and evacuations wrap up ahead of the storm’s arrival.
This comes as more than 30 million people across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia are expected to experience the worst of Isaias', prompting state and local officials to take the necessary precautions well ahead of landfall on Friday.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Tuesday for 25 Florida counties on Tuesday, allowing state agencies to position resources and prepare for potential impacts from Isaias across the Panhandle and Big Bend.
TIMELINE: WHERE TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS IS HEADED AND WHEN IT COULD BECOME A HURRICANE
The declaration allows emergency crews to mobilize resources and stage them strategically across portions of the state to be ready for rapid deployment if needed.
The bread aisle in a Walmart store is empty as people stock up ahead of the possible arrival of Hurricane Isaias on October 08, 2026 in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Across Florida, K-12 school districts have announced closures or early dismissals through Friday as Hurricane Isaias approaches.
The three largest districts affected are Escambia County, with roughly 36,800 students; Okaloosa County, with about 32,000; and Santa Rosa County, with nearly 29,600.
See the full list of Florida Department of Education school closures here.
Hurricane Isaias Forecast Cone.(FOX Weather)
Prolonged onshore winds, elevated water levels, high tides and persistent heavy rainfall will produce flooding along the coast of Florida.
Emergency officials have ordered the immediate evacuation of Pensacola Beach, with lifeguards flying double red flags to signal that the Gulf is strictly closed to all water activities.
Heavy surf is building past 6 feet, creating life-threatening rip currents as tropical force conditions accelerate toward the shore.
Intense wind gusts and rough waves lash at Florida Coast as Hurricane Isaias approaches landfall
🌊 FEROCIOUS WEATHER: Intense conditions from Category 3 Hurricane Isaias lash the coast, with ferocious wind gusts and violent waves crashing along the coast in Fort Walton, Florida.
Pensacola police said that the Pensacola Bay Bridge, also known as Three Mile Bridge, is closed to traffic as weather conditions continue to decline across the coast.
The Theo Baars and Bob Sikes bridges were also closed by the Escambia Sheriff's Office.
Locations such as Panama City have already begun preparations, allowing residents and businesses to fill up to 10 sandbags each from Wednesday through Friday night, ahead of the impending flood threat from future Hurricane Isaias.
FUTURE HURRICANE ISAIAS TRACKER: STORM PATH, FORECAST CONE, SPAGHETTI MODELS, WIND AND FLOOD THREAT
Other cities, like Pensacola and Destin, are offering free sand at eight locations on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday. They have been open 24 hours a day, according to Escambia County officials.
Along with this, Miami-based Emergency Sandbag Response was activated amidst the growing trend of alerts, shipping thousands of sandbags north to assist communities preparing for the heavy rain and severe flooding.
David Schisle, Courtney Head, and Donald Knapp place plywood over the windows of Mr. Knapp's Islander Ice Cream restaurant as they prepare for the possible arrival of Hurricane Isaias on October 08, 2026, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)
"The best time to move sandbags is before people are standing in line for them," said Founder of Emergency Sandbag Response, Albert Sotero. "Our goal is to help communities get ahead of the weather, so residents and emergency crews have one less problem to solve when conditions deteriorate."
This comes as the hurricane has entered an area favorable for development, with high ocean heat content and a moist mid-level atmosphere that allowed it to intensify, the FOX Forecast Center said.
DO SANDBAGS ACTUALLY PREVENT FLOODING? WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE A BIG STORM
Residents have been advised to fill sandbags for the last few days. The use of sandbags to stop flooding has been around for centuries, with their formal adoption for flood control following their military use in fortifying trenches.
Donald Knapp places plywood over the windows of his Islander Ice Cream restaurant as he prepares for the possible arrival of Hurricane Isaias on October 08, 2026 in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Isaias will bring heavy rain, winds, tornadoes and some storm surge potential, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
Rainfall estimates are expected to range around 6 to 10 inches, triggering a flood threat for thousands along the coast.
Officials will have over 14,000 generators, large amounts of gasoline strategically placed across the region, and food, water and other essential supplies ready for areas significantly impacted by the storm.
Governor DeSantis urges residents to come prepared with their own supplies, such as fuel, water, and nonperishable food, enough to last at least 72 hours on your own.
Alabama
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for 40 counties as Isaias threatens the Gulf Coast.
The proclamation activates the state’s emergency operations plan, directs the Alabama National Guard to prepare for activation and allows state agencies to coordinate resources, move emergency supplies and assist with damage assessments.
"This will allow us to take any needed steps ahead of landfall," Gov. Ivey said.
The order also puts the state’s price-gouging law into effect and allows local officials to close government offices and schools based on conditions.
Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported that the AL-59 and AL-161 bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway are closed, and access to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan is only allowed for emergency services.
In Alabama, at least four county school districts — Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia and Clarke counties — have announced closures for Friday, Oct. 9, due to Isaias.
Baldwin County, home to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, is opening an emergency shelter in Robertsdale, providing sand for residents and closing government facilities as officials prepare for storm surge, flooding and dangerous winds.
In Mobile, FOX Weather crews captured video of grocery store shelves left empty ahead of Isaias.
A citywide curfew was also issued in Mobile beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night and in effect until 6 a.m. on Saturday.
Mississippi
Outside the Sunshine State, Mississippi has taken extra precautions to prepare for the hurricane, as the Mississippi Emergency Management (MEMA) is coordinating with first responders and the National Guard to deploy resources as requested ahead of the storm.
MEMA Executive Director Stephen "Mac" McCraney said residents should not wait for the forecast to become clearer before taking action.
FILE PHOTO: People fill bags with sand at a local park in preparation for Hurricane Milton on October 8, 2024 in Stuart, Florida. Milton, which came just after the recent catastrophic hurricane Helene, has strengthened to a Category 5 storm as it approaches Florida's central Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall midweek.
(Saul Martinez / Getty Images)
"The threat is real, and now is the time to prepare," McCraney said.
TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS CHURNS IN GULF AS OIL RIGS PREPARE FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
"We have seen how quickly tropical systems can impact Mississippi. Tropical Storm Arthur in June brought tremendous amounts of rain, flash flooding and significant damage."
MEMA officials are urging Mississippians to make the necessary preparations by checking for emergency supplies, charging all electronics, clear drainage areas, understanding your flood risk and to make an evacuation plan encase impacts become deadly.
Georgia
Although Georgia is removed from Isaias’ expected Gulf Coast landfall zone, the state will not be spared as the storm moves inland, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and a threat for tornadoes.
HURRICANE ISAIAS THREATENS TO SWAMP GEORGIA-ALABAMA AND OTHER COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES
In Georgia, emergency officials have urged residents to complete storm preparations by Thursday as watches spread across the state, while schools and event organizers move football games, festivals and other weekend activities ahead of Isaias’ expected rain, wind and tornado threats.
Emergency response assets
- Generators
- Fuel
- Flood barriers
- Boxed water pallets
- Shelf-stable meals
- Flood buckets
- Tarps
- Tiger dams
- Sandbags
Tune into FOX Weather through the weekend to stay updated.