Isaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the ۲۰۲۶ season, with wind speeds of ۸۰mph and a minimum pressure of ۹۷۵mb. It is expected to strengthen to a category ۲ hurricane as it approaches the US’s northern Gulf coast on Friday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As a result of the strong El Niño, it has been a notably quiet Atlantic hurricane season. The first hurricane of the season has not formed this late since ۸ October ۱۹۰۵, which pre-dates the satellite era (۱۹۶۰s) for tracking hurricanes that has allowed for more non-landfall hurricanes to be discovered.
Isaias is expected to make landfall on Friday evening local time, bringing an estimated ۷۵-۱۵۰mm (۲.۹-۵.۹in) of rainfall across the Gulf coast. There may be up to ۲۵۰mm in places, with a possibility of flash flooding and isolated river flooding.
The NOAA also said there was increasing likelihood of life-threatening storm surge along portions of the northern Gulf coast and damaging hurricane-force winds over portions of the Florida panhandle, southern Alabama and Mississippi. A hurricane warning has been issued and people have been told to prepare for long power outages and to obey any evacuation orders issued.
In Zimbabwe, a state of disaster was declared in the south-east Masvingo province on Tuesday after a severe hailstorm caused widespread damage to homes and critical infrastructure.
Preliminary assessments found the roofs had been torn off ۸,۵۰۰ homes. A further ۱۵,۳۰۰ people reported shattered windows, leaving many exposed to the elements as the rainy season begins.
The country’s power infrastructure was badly affected, disrupting drainage and sewerage systems, raising concerns about public health.
In Australia, a rare tornado hit the town of Ulladulla, about ۱۴۰ miles (۲۳۰km) south of Sydney, on ۳ October. Tornadoes are relatively rare in Australia, where there are about ۵۰ each year. This Ulladulla tornado damaged properties and felled trees.
