Isaias menguat menjadi badai hurikan Atlantik pertama musim 2026

Storm expected to make landfall on US’s northern Gulf coast with risk of flash floods and isolated river flooding

Isaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, with wind speeds of 80mph and a minimum pressure of 975mb. It is expected to strengthen to a category 2 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 8 October 1905, which pre-dates the satellite era (1960s) 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 75-150mm (2.9-5.9in) of rainfall across the Gulf coast. There may be up to 250mm 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 8,500 homes. A further 15,300 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 140 miles (230km) south of Sydney, on 3 October. Tornadoes are relatively rare in Australia, where there are about 50 each year. This Ulladulla tornado damaged properties and felled trees.

Badai diperkirakan akan mencapai daratan di pantai utara Teluk Amerika Serikat dengan risiko banjir bandang dan banjir sungai yang terisolasi

Isaias telah menjadi badai Atlantik pertama musim 2026, dengan kecepatan angin 80 mph dan tekanan minimum 975 mb. Badai ini diperkirakan akan menguat menjadi badai kategori 2 saat mendekati pantai utara Teluk Amerika Serikat pada Jumat, menurut National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Akibat El Niño yang kuat, musim badai Atlantik kali ini tercatat sangat tenang. Badai pertama musim ini belum terbentuk selambat ini sejak 8 Oktober 1905, yang mendahului era satelit (1960-an) untuk pelacakan badai yang memungkinkan lebih banyak badai yang tidak mencapai daratan ditemukan.

Isaias diperkirakan akan mencapai daratan pada Jumat malam waktu setempat, membawa curah hujan sekitar 75-150 mm (2,9-5,9 inci) di sepanjang pantai Teluk. Di beberapa tempat curah hujan bisa mencapai 250 mm, dengan kemungkinan banjir bandang dan banjir sungai yang terisolasi.

NOAA juga menyatakan bahwa kemungkinan gelombang badai yang mengancam jiwa semakin meningkat di sepanjang sebagian pantai utara Teluk dan angin kencang yang merusak di sebagian Florida panhandle, Alabama selatan, dan Mississippi. Peringatan badai telah dikeluarkan dan masyarakat diminta bersiap menghadapi pemadaman listrik yang lama serta mematuhi setiap perintah evakuasi yang dikeluarkan.

Di Zimbabwe, status darurat bencana dideklarasikan di Provinsi Masvingo bagian tenggara pada Selasa setelah hujan es lebat menyebabkan kerusakan luas pada rumah-rumah dan infrastruktur penting.

Penilaian awal menemukan atap-atap 8.500 rumah telah terlepas. Sebanyak 15.300 orang lainnya melaporkan jendela-jendela pecah, sehingga banyak yang terpapar cuaca saat musim hujan dimulai.

Infrastruktur listrik negara itu terdampak parah, mengganggu sistem drainase dan saluran pembuangan, sehingga menimbulkan kekhawatiran tentang kesehatan masyarakat.

Di Australia, tornado langka menghantam kota Ulladulla, sekitar 140 mil (230 km) di selatan Sydney, pada 3 Oktober. Tornado relatif jarang terjadi di Australia, di mana terdapat sekitar 50 tornado setiap tahun. Tornado Ulladulla ini merusak properti dan menumbangkan pepohonan.