Weather
Florida Panhandle Hurricane Isaias: Up to 7-Foot Surge, 10 Inches of Rain
Tallahassee, FL – Hurricane Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday morning,&nb…
By Mason Reid · 2026-10-08T11:58:55.060Z
Tallahassee, FL – Hurricane Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday morning, threatening Florida's Panhandle and western Big Bend with dangerous storm surge, flooding rainfall, strong winds and possible tornadoes beginning Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Isaias intensified into a Category 1 hurricane overnight Thursday, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to turn northeast and approach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday into early Saturday, potentially as a stronger hurricane.
Storm surge projections show water levels reaching 5 to 7 feet above ground level along portions of the Florida Panhandle coast, including areas near Mobile Bay and eastward toward Indian Pass. Coastal communities farther east could experience 4 to 6 feet of surge near the Steinhatchee River.
A Flood Watch covers much of the Florida Panhandle, western Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening.
Forecasters anticipate widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 7 inches, with localized amounts potentially reaching 10 inches. Repeated tropical downpours could trigger flash flooding, particularly in low lying neighborhoods and areas with poor drainage.
The severe weather threat also includes tornadoes embedded within tropical rainbands.
A Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk is forecast for portions of the region Friday, expanding across much of the Panhandle, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia Saturday.
Tropical storm force winds could begin reaching the Florida Panhandle Friday afternoon or evening. Residents are urged to complete necessary storm preparations by Friday morning.
Hurricane, storm surge and tropical storm warnings are in effect across portions of the northern Gulf Coast.
Residents should monitor updated forecasts, follow local emergency management instructions and avoid driving through flooded roads as conditions deteriorate.