The National Hurricane Center said late Wednesday that Tropical Storm Isaias strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season and is expected to make landfall late Friday night or early Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to parts of southern Mississippi.
According to the NHC, as of 4 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, Wayne, Perry and Stone counties were under a tropical storm watch; Hancock, Harrison, George and Green counties were under a tropical storm warning; and Jackson County was under a hurricane warning.
The NHC also said storm surge warnings remain in effect along the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast and warned that “Damaging hurricane force-winds are expected over portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi, and hurricane warning remains in effect from Ocean Springs, Miss. to the Bay/Gulf County Line, Fla.” The agency said residents in the warned areas should prepare for the possibility of long-duration power outages.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urged residents on the Coast to begin preparing and said Isaias could strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane. “The threat is real, and now is the time to prepare,” MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney said.
MEMA advised residents to review evacuation zones and routes and offered preparation guidance including:
Check emergency supplies — have at least three days of drinking water and nonperishable food per household member, medications, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries and important documents.
Charge cell phones, portable battery packs and other essential devices.
Secure or bring inside outdoor furniture, grills, trash cans and other loose objects.
Clear gutters and drains of debris where it can be done safely.
Know your flood risk and never drive or walk through floodwaters.
Make an evacuation plan, including arrangements for children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets.
Stay informed through local weather reports, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio and the MEMA mobile app.
“If you are in a low-lying area prone to flash flooding, you need to plan to get out before the storm arrives [on Friday],” McCraney added.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
