Florida government gearing up for Tropical Storm Isaias

Tropical Storm Isaias' wind speed probabilities as of Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Screenshot via National Hurricane Center)As of Wednesday afternoon, Tropical Storm Isaias was about 500 miles from the mouth of Mississippi River with 50 mph winds as Florida’s leaders said they were prepared and ready to respond for landfall, expected later this week. The storm, moving at about 8 mph, is expected to become a hurricane Thursday and “approach the U.S. northern gulf coast on Friday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The center issued a hurricane watch from Mississippi to Indian Pass in Gulf County, Florida.  Gov. Ron DeSantis had made no public appearance as of Wednesday afternoon, although he posted to social media: “There will be impacts by Isaias to the Florida panhandle. Even if it makes landfall west of the panhandle the eastern, most dangerous side the storm will impact NW Florida. If you are in those communities make sure to execute your hurricane plan.” (Grammar directly copied