warned

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins warned residents on Thursday to brace for Hurricane Isaias as the storm moves toward the state’s east coast, urging people to stay off the roads while first‑responders prepare for emergency operations. Collins said the storm is expected to pass through the region later today and could bring dangerous winds, flooding and power outages. He asked Floridians to follow evacuation orders, keep emergency kits handy, and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

Isaias formed over the Atlantic on Monday and has rapidly intensified to a Category 2 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters predict landfall near Jacksonville within the next 12 hours, with the storm’s forward speed slowing as it approaches the coastline. The 2026 Atlantic season has already produced several major storms, and climate scientists say warmer ocean temperatures are making hurricanes more powerful and more frequent. Florida’s experience with past storms such as Hurricane Ian and the 2020 hurricane season underscores the need for early warnings and coordinated response.

State officials have opened 27 emergency shelters across the state and pre‑positioned FEMA supplies in the affected counties. Power companies have mobilized crews to restore electricity quickly, and the Department of Transportation has placed sandbags at vulnerable bridges. Collins urged residents to monitor local radio and official social‑media channels for updates, and to heed any mandatory evacuation notices. The storm is expected to move inland by early Saturday, leaving heavy rain and potential flooding in its wake, so officials say the next 48 hours will be critical for recovery and safety efforts.