Litany of Closures, Cancellations

4 a.m. Key Messages for Hurricane Isaias

7 a.m. Thursday NOAA Hurricane Center Advisory

BULLETIN
Hurricane Isaias Intermediate Advisory Number 7A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092026
700 AM CDT Thu Oct 08 2026

…HURRICANE HUNTERS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING ISAIAS…
…PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM STORM SURGE AND
DAMAGING WINDS ALONG THE WARNING AREA OF THE GULF COAST SHOULD BE
RUSHED TO COMPLETION TODAY…

SUMMARY OF 700 AM CDT…1200 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…23.7N 90.6W
ABOUT 175 MI…280 KM NNW OF PROGRESO MEXICO
ABOUT 385 MI…620 KM SSW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…80 MPH…130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…ENE OR 60 DEGREES AT 9 MPH…15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…975 MB…28.80 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Steinhatchee River, FL

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Ocean Springs, MS to the Bay/Gulf County Line, FL

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish Line, LA to west of Ocean Springs, MS
* East of Bay/Gulf County Line to Aucilla River, FL

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown, FL

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline,
during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction
of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm
Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a
life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas
should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from
rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.
Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local
officials.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36
hours before the anticipated first occurrence of
tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside
preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the
coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For
a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather
Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov.

Interests in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and elsewhere along the
U.S. northern Gulf Coast should closely monitor the progress of this
system.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Isaias was located
near latitude 23.7 North, longitude 90.6 West. Isaias is moving
toward the east-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). A turn toward the
northeast is expected later today followed by a turn northward on
Friday. On the forecast track, Isaias is expected to pass to the
north of the Yucatan Peninsula later today and make landfall along
the U.S. northern Gulf Coast within the warning area late Friday or
early Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is expected through early Friday,
and Isaias should remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the
northern Gulf Coast Friday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90
miles (150 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb (28.80 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
Key messages for Isaias can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4 and WMO header WTNT44 KNHC.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Ocean Springs, MS to Indian Pass, FL…5-7 ft
Mobile Bay…5-7 ft
Mouth of the Mississippi River, LA to Ocean Springs, MS…3-5 ft
Indian Pass, FL to Steinhatchee River, FL…4-6 ft
Steinhatchee River, FL to Yankeetown, FL…2-4 ft
Lake Pontchartrain…1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be
accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding
depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and
can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to
your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather
Service forecast office.

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation,
please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?peakSurge.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning
area Friday night into early Saturday, with tropical storm
conditions beginning on Friday. Tropical storm conditions are
expected in the warning areas on Friday and Friday night.

Gusty winds are possible in portions of the Yucatan Peninsula today.

RAINFALL: Isaias is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 3
inches through today across coastal portions of the eastern Bay
of Campeche with isolated higher amounts possible in the states of
Campeche and western Yucatan.

From Friday through the weekend, the system is expected to produce
rainfall amounts of 3 to 7 inches, with localized totals up to 10
inches, across the central U.S. Gulf Coast extending from far
southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Rainfall amounts of
1 to 3 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches, are possible
across much of the Southeast as far north as the Tennessee Valley
and the Carolinas. Flash and urban flooding, along with isolated
river flooding, will be possible.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with
Isaias, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall
Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?rainqpf and
the Flash Flood Risk graphic at
hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?ero

TORNADOES: Isolated tornadoes will be possible Friday night in
coastal areas of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle and far
southwestern Georgia. The tornado threat will continue Saturday for
eastern Alabama, Georgia and northern Florida.

SURF: Swells will affect the western and northern portions of the
Yucatan Peninsula beginning later today and spread northward toward
the Gulf Coast on Friday. These swells are likely to cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found
at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?ripCurrents

NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next complete advisory at 1000 AM CDT.

Escambia County Schools

Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard has announced that schools and district offices will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026,  due to impending  severe weather associated with Isaias.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates severe weather moving through the area on Friday, with the possibility of heavy precipitation and hazardous winds.  In an abundance of caution, all schools, district offices, and afterschool activities, including indoor and outdoor athletics, have been canceled for Friday, October 9, 2026.

“Although Monday, October 12 is a holiday for our students, we anticipate all other departments will resume work as usual on Monday,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff. We will always err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our students and employees.”

District officials will continue to monitor weather updates, and members of the community are encouraged to do the same.  If necessary, updates will be provided through local media, Focus Messenger, and the district website and social media platforms.

Santa Rosa County Schools

In consultation and coordination with Santa Rosa County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service in Mobile, Santa Rosa County District Schools is sharing the following important information regarding Tropical Storm Isaias.

Out of an abundance of caution, and with the safety of our students, employees, and families as our highest priority, all Santa Rosa County District Schools and offices will be closed Thursday, October 8th, and Friday, October 9th.

All school-sponsored activities, including athletic events, practices, clubs, meetings, and other extracurricular activities, are canceled for Thursday, October 8th, Friday, October 9th, and Saturday, October 10th.

We understand that changes to school schedules can create challenges for our families, and we appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our school community.

The district will continue to monitor conditions and will communicate any additional updates through our official communication channels. Families and employees are encouraged to monitor district messages for the latest information.

Escambia County Office Closures for Tropical Storm Isaias

First City Art Center – Pumpkin Patch: Rescheduled to Oct. 23-24. https://firstcityart.org/

Ssanta Rosa Isla Triathlon – Canceled

Friends of te West Florida Public Library Book Sale – Postponed

BRACE Storms & Stars Soiree – Canceled