Storm Alert – Hurricane Isaias
Hurricane Isaias has intensified into a Category 3 storm, becoming the first major hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. The storm is currently located approximately 240 miles south of Pensacola, Florida, and is expected to make landfall late tonight along the northern Gulf Coast, between Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle.
Isaias is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and potential tornadoes. Hurricane warnings are in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida. Rainfall could reach 4 to 8 inches across portions of the Gulf Coast, with isolated areas receiving up to 15 inches.
As the storm moves inland over the weekend, heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected to spread across the Southeast, including Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Flooding, power outages, and transportation disruptions could affect fuel supply and delivery operations throughout the region.
What This Means for Your Operations
Heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds from Hurricane Isaias can result in site closures, inaccessible roads, and fuel delivery delays. Rising groundwater also increases the risk of water entering underground storage tanks and contaminating fuel, making early detection especially important. Additionally, unsafe road conditions and potential transportation disruptions could limit carrier availability and affect fuel deliveries across impacted areas.
Recommended Actions
- Top off tanks. Ensure all sites within the impacted region are fueled ahead of ongoing rainfall and potential disruptions over the next days.
- Secure Fuel Tanks: Ensure all tank caps, fill ports, gauges, and access points are securely closed and locked before severe weather arrives. Properly securing tanks can help prevent rainwater intrusion, protect fuel quality, and reduce the risk of contamination following the storm.
- Check for water contamination after the storm. Use water-finding paste to test tanks before dispensing fuel into any equipment. If water levels exceed one inch, do not order or dispense fuel until the issue has been resolved.
- Stay in close contact with your Mansfield representative. Keep communication open regarding site closures, delivery delays, and any changes in the business operational status.
Mansfield will continue monitoring Hurricane Isaias and provide updates as conditions develop.
This article is part of Alerts
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