A storm heading for the U.S. Gulf Coast has strengthened into Hurricane Isaias, with landfall expected late Friday, Oct. 9.
By the time Isaias hits the U.S. coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects it to be a particularly dangerous hurricane, with life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and rain heavy enough to cause significant flooding.
Isaias is expected to be the first hurricane to strike the U.S. since Hurricane Milton in 2024, and marks the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm became a hurricane less than 20 hours after becoming a tropical storm, according to an announcement from the National Hurricane Center at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
As of 7 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, Isaias
was a Category 1 hurricane, moving east-northeast at 9 mph with sustained winds of 80 mph. NOAA has warned residents in areas expected to see the worst impacts to prepare for the possibility of long-duration power outages.
Is Isaias a hurricane yet?
Yes. Isaias is a hurricane and is expected to strengthen into a strong hurricane as it approaches the Gulf Coast Friday, Oct. 9. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along a portion of the northern Gulf Coast, with a Storm Surge Warning in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Steinhatchee, Florida.
Will Hurricane Isaias affect North Carolina?
Heavy rainfall is expected through much of the Southeast, including Asheville and Western North Carolina starting Friday and continuing through the weekend, Oct. 9-11. NOAA predicts flash and urban flooding along with isolated river flooding for areas impacted by the storm.
How much rain will Asheville, NC get from Hurricane Isaias?
According to the most recent maps from NOAA, Western N.C. could see between 1-6 inches of rain associated with Hurricane Isaias.
Will Hurricane Isaias cause flooding in Asheville, NC?
According to most recent maps from NOAA, parts of Western N.C. could see up to a 15% chance of flooding, as well as parts of the Southern region of the state and along the coast.
Where is Hurricane Isaias now? Storm tracker
North Carolina weather radar
Asheville, NC weekend weather
Thursday, Oct. 8 - Sunny, with a high near 81 degrees. North northwest wind 5-8 mph. Overnight, patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 53 degrees. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday, Oct. 9 - Partly sunny, with a high near 76 degrees. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, increasing clouds, with a low around 54 degrees. Light east southeast wind.
Saturday, Oct. 10 - Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66 degrees. East southeast wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Overnight, showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 p.m. Low around 55 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday, Oct. 11 - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers. High near 72 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Overnight, a 30% chance of showers before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58 degrees.
Hendersonville, NC weekend weather
Thursday, Oct. 8 - Sunny, with a high near 79 degrees. North northwest wind around 7 mph. Overnight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54 degrees. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday, Oct. 9 - Partly sunny, with a high near 73 degrees. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54 degrees. Light northeast wind.
Saturday, Oct. 10 - Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62 degrees. East northeast wind 10-17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Overnight, showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 p.m. Low around 54 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Sunday, Oct. 11 - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers. High near 68 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Overnight, a 30% chance of showers before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57 degrees.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Track Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf, potential North Carolina impacts
