Beachgoers visit Gulf Coast for waves before Hurricane Isaias arrives

8 sourcesUpdated Oct 9, 20261 min read

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Beachgoers visited Pensacola Beach Thursday to see big waves before Hurricane Isaias. Lifeguards switched to double-red flags Thursday morning and moved stands off the beach. Dave Greenwood said rip currents are deadly and the biggest weather-related death risk, keeping people out of the water and warning of wave energy after the storm. Pensacola International Airport closes at 10 a.m. Friday. Trey Hermann planned to fly to Atlanta Thursday night rather than be stuck, advising that if locals get gas and store boats, visitors should get out of dodge. Stephanie Dzugan told her son it was the calm before the storm and to follow directions; her Knoxville group would pray, be smart, and ride it out. Larry Toomey said he has no fear and does not board up. Fiery orange and red sunset photos from Charles Peek and @DWPhotographed were shared by Jim Cantore and Matt Devitt; similar scenes came from Grayton Beach and Gulf Shores. Bay County was under a local state of emergency. CONTESTED: The record shows no factual dispute, only framing differences. Left-rated coverage foregrounded beachgoers and anglers at M.B. Miller County Pier and Panama City Beach per headlines. Right-rated coverage was absent. Center headlines stressed big waves and people leaving or boarding up.

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Weather

Isaias Could Reach Category 2 Before Gulf Landfall

A tropical depression in the Gulf was forecast to strengthen into Hurricane Isaias and threaten the upper Gulf Coast, from Louisiana toward Florida, while forecasters monitored its track and potential heavy rain. New Orleans residents were urged to clear storm drains and report clogged catch basins to help reduce flooding.

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Weather

Hurricane Isaias Targets Florida Panhandle, Alabama

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a broad low-pressure area that may form over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, with development expected to be slow and a 30% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm within seven days. It is too early to assess possible Gulf Coast impacts; if a storm forms, it would be named Isaias, in a season that has yet to produce an Atlantic hurricane.

Oct 7, 2026Oct 9, 2026

Oct 9, 2026Alabama State moved its Homecoming football game against Florida A&M to Friday morning and rescheduled other festivities as officials prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias.
Oct 9, 2026As Hurricane Isaias approached Florida’s Gulf Coast, beachgoers and anglers took in the calm and vivid sunset even as officials warned of dangerous waves and rip currents.
Oct 8, 2026Hurricane Isaias prompted ESPN to move College GameDay’s Saturday broadcast ahead of the Alabama–Georgia matchup from the University of Alabama’s Quad to Coleman Coliseum.

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Broke WALA - Mobile News · Oct 8, 2:19 PM ETCenter within the hourLeft +4h8 sources +11h on

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Hurricane Isaias Prompts Southeast Emergency Preparations

Officials across the Gulf Coast are urging residents to prepare now for Tropical Storm Isaias, which could strengthen into a hurricane and bring heavy rain, flooding, damaging winds, power outages and hazardous travel beginning Friday. Residents are advised to secure supplies and outdoor items, plan for outages and evacuations, follow trusted forecasts, and avoid waiting until the last minute to leave; emergency agencies and the Salvation Army are coordinating response preparations.

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