06 / 10
Tropical Storm Isaias forms in Gulf
Isaias could end the Atlantic’s record late wait for a first hurricane and bring wind, flooding and surge risks to the Gulf Coast.
What happened
Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf of Mexico and forecasters expect it to strengthen into the Atlantic season’s first hurricane. The storm was moving east-northeast from waters off Mexico, with a projected path toward the northern US Gulf Coast, where watches and emergency preparations began.
Numbers
- 40 mphIsaias’s sustained wind speed — When it formed
- 3–6 inchesRain forecast across Gulf Coast — Higher local totals possible
- 11.2 million barrelsPotential Gulf oil production loss — Industry model estimate
Questions
- Why has the Atlantic season been quiet?
- A strengthening El Niño has increased upper-level wind shear over the Atlantic, disrupting tropical systems before they can organise into hurricanes.
- What risks are forecasters highlighting?
- Forecasters highlighted damaging winds, storm surge and flooding, with heavy rain raising flash-flood and isolated river-flood risks along the coast.
- Which preparations have begun?
- Florida declared an emergency across its Panhandle and Big Bend, while Verizon staged equipment, fuelled generators and readied communications support.
- How unusual is this timing?
- It could become the latest first Atlantic hurricane in more than a century, after the season passed its satellite-era record.
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The catch
The reports did not identify a certain landfall point or confirm how strong Isaias will become.
Track and intensity remain forecast-based.