Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center/NOAA (Public Domain).
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast track shows Hurricane Isaias approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
By Morgan Rudowicz
Hurricane Isaias is approaching rapidly, but is not currently expected to make landfall in South Florida. After a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane drought, Isaias will mark the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.
The Tampa Bay area is not in the path, but will be expected to see side effects. This includes tropical moisture, rough seas, coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents. The Tampa Bay area will not be directly hit.
University of Tampa students do not need to evacuate at this time. So far, UTampa has not sent out any updates or communications about the storm.
Hurricane Isaias formed late Wednesday night in the Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday. As of Friday morning, Oct. 9, Hurricane Isaias has strengthened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters expect the hurricane to weaken as it moves inland.
Isaias is expected to hit the northern U.S. Gulf coast. This includes Florida’s Panhandle, specifically Pensacola Beach, before moving up to northern Alabama. The system is forecast to bring about 3 to 7 inches of rain across the central Gulf Coast.
Several counties in Florida and Alabama have declared states of emergency as Isaias approaches. Meteorologists are comparing the storm to Hurricane Ian, which struck Florida in September 2022. Isaias is currently developing strong winds as it develops, which forecasters expect to weaken as it moves inland.
The Minaret is closely monitoring the situation and working together to gather information to inform students. As additional updates become available, we will provide students with timely and accurate information.