Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in parts of Florida as newly formed Hurricane Isaias threatens the US Gulf Coast with life-threatening flooding and damaging winds. Isaias erupted in the Gulf Wednesday night, breaking the record for the latest arrival of a season's first hurricane since satellite tracking began. AccuWeather meteorologists said it is currently predicted to be a Category 2 hurricane when it makes landfall along the US Gulf Coast late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. A hurricane warning stretches from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, across Alabama's coast to Florida's Bay/Gulf county line, with storm surge potentially flooding some coastal areas under five to seven feet of water. The development has triggered evacuations in Florida's Okaloosa and Gulf Counties, while the rest of the Panhandle remains under a state of emergency. Alabama has also issued a state of emergency for counties along the Gulf. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an urgent warning to the millions of Americans in Isaias' path, saying: 'Evacuation efforts should soon be brought to completion before driving conditions become unsafe. 'Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives.'

AccuWeather's forecast shows Isaias moving northeast across the Gulf on Thursday before turning north toward the US coast on Friday. The storm is projected to reach Category 1 hurricane strength by 8pm ET Thursday, then strengthen to Category 2 before making landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama border around 11pm ET Friday. Based on Isaias making landfall as a Category 2, wind gusts of 100 to 120mph are forecast near and just east of the center. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter warned: 'However, because of the swift forward speed and broadening wind field of Isaias as the storm moves inland, damaging winds and power outages are likely to extend well inland.'

The NWS told communities from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Gulf County, Florida, to prepare for the possibility of 'long-duration power outages.' Monster storm surges of up to seven feet near and east of Isaias' center are also expected for the Northern Gulf Coast, with towns and cities in Mississippi and Florida's Panhandle hit the hardest. However, AccuWeather meteorologists warned that the 'most substantial impact from the brewing storm will be from heavy rainfall.' Isaias is forecast to dump three to seven inches of rain across the central Gulf Coast from Friday through the weekend, with isolated totals of up to 10 inches and flash flooding possible.

Fears of a devastating storm have left shelves empty in towns and cities along the US Gulf Coast, as locals stock up on everything from toilet paper to water and canned food. Images on social media show long lines at gas stations and depleted supermarket shelves. Florida local Stephen Page posted on Facebook: 'Stores are already run over, and shelves are empty at many places. 'Lines at gas stations are long, and people are in full prep mode. So again, I say, if you haven't started, now is the time!'

Another Floridian, Stephanie Michelle, said she experienced panic buying at the grocery store. 'The store was full, the parking lot was full, shelves were empty, and the carts were all full! People were everywhere, and traffic was a nightmare,' she added. The Atlantic has yet to produce a hurricane in 2026, putting the season within reach of a record set in 1905 for the latest first hurricane. If forecast models are correct and Isaias develops into a hurricane, it would be deemed a record-breaking storm. Meteorologist Matt Devitt said on X: 'Isaias will likely be one of the most significant storms of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season with a landfall in the US.'