Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for 40 Alabama counties as Tropical Storm Isaias gains strength in the Gulf, with a hurricane watch already posted for the Alabama coast.
The order took effect at 4 p.m. Central and runs for seven days. The 40 counties run from Mobile and Baldwin on the coast through the Wiregrass and the Black Belt to Montgomery, Lee and Tuscaloosa counties.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Alabama-Georgia game.
“At this moment, forecasts continue to show the real likelihood that the tropical system brewing in the Gulf could impact Alabama as a hurricane as early as Friday,” Ivey said.
“While we continue to monitor forecasts, we have to prepare now. That is why I have issued a state of emergency for 40 counties. This will allow us to take any needed steps ahead of landfall. As we approach the weekend and any travel plans, make sure you have reliable information as conditions develop. While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously.”
Ivey’s proclamation directs the Alabama National Guard to prepare for activation and activates the Alabama Emergency Operations Plan.
It puts the state’s price gouging law in force in all 40 counties, waives federal hours-of-service limits for truckers hauling emergency supplies, and authorizes local school systems and state agency heads to close based on local conditions.
The proclamation cites a National Weather Service forecast of “strong winds, flooding, and tornadoes” beginning Friday evening.
The National Hurricane Center issued hurricane and storm surge watches Wednesday morning for coastal Alabama, coastal Mississippi and the western Florida Panhandle. Forecasters expect Isaias to become a hurricane on Thursday and reach the coast late Friday or early Saturday. The center said it is “looking more likely that Isaias will be a significant hurricane when it reaches the coast.” Isaias would be the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season.
Meteorologist James Spann issued his latest analysis of the storm.
ISAIAS GROWING STRONGER: Tropical Storm Isaias this afternoon has sustained winds of 50 mph, and is about 520 miles south/southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River. It is moving to the east/northeast at 8 mph.
The latest NHC forecast track pushes Isaias into the Central… pic.twitter.com/2yK2zIAh3y
— James Spann (@spann) October 7, 2026
President Trump was asked about the storm earlier Wednesday in the Oval Office. A reporter raised the forecast and asked whether he still planned to attend Saturday’s game.
President Trump says his attendance at the Alabama-Georgia game will depend on the weather. pic.twitter.com/WGhAEZR69J
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 7, 2026
The University of Alabama athletics department said Tuesday it had no plans to move the game.
“Alabama athletics is closely monitoring the weather forecast ahead of Saturday’s football game vs. Georgia,” the department said in a statement to ESPN. “At this time, there are no plans to alter the contest. We will continue to observe conditions throughout the week and remain in communication with the Southeastern Conference office, as needed.”
The state of emergency covers Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Choctaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox counties.
It expires Wednesday, October 14, at 11:59 p.m. unless Ivey extends it.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
