Climate
Gulf Coast braces as Tropical Depression Nine is forecast to become a hurricane
October 7, 2026 at 04:04 AM · Updated 9d ago
3 reports · over 15 hours
Tropical Depression Nine is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane this week and approach the northern Gulf Coast, where officials have begun emergency preparations.
- Tropical Depression Nine had sustained winds of 35 mph and was located roughly 600 miles south of the Mississippi River's mouth as of Tuesday evening.
- The National Hurricane Center forecasts the system to reach hurricane strength by Thursday, which would be the Atlantic season's first hurricane.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 25 counties and urged residents to prepare disaster plans and stock supply kits.
- Shell and BP have begun removing nonessential personnel from Gulf offshore platforms ahead of the storm.
- Tropical Depression Nine was upgraded to Tropical Storm Isaias as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico.
- Forecasters expect Isaias to reach Category 2 strength before making landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday.



