Tropical Depression Nine formed off the coast of Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Centre confirmed on Wednesday, October 7. The centre expects it to become the Atlantic's first hurricane this season, reaching Category 2 strength with 100 mph winds by Friday night.
Moving east at about 5 mph, it is forecast to become a tropical storm on Wednesday, October 7, and a hurricane a day later under the name Isaias. The track takes it toward the southern U.S., north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday, October 8, and toward the U.S. northern Gulf Coast on Friday, October 9.
Impacts are centered on Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle. The Weather Prediction Centre issued a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk for parts of the Southeast for Friday and Saturday.