Hurricane Isaias struck the US Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm, leaving more than 726,000 electricity customers in Florida and Alabama without power early Saturday. The hurricane also caused flooding, downed trees and hazardous road conditions as it moved inland.
The storm made landfall near Destin, Florida, bringing powerful winds to coastal communities across the Panhandle. Flooded streets were reported in Destin, while police in nearby Pensacola urged residents to stay off the roads because of debris. Some counties temporarily suspended emergency response operations Friday night due to dangerous weather conditions.
In southern Alabama, officials reported flooding, fallen trees and damaged power lines. Several roads in Houston County were also closed as the storm affected communities farther inland.
Although Isaias weakened after making landfall, forecasters warned that heavy rainfall would continue through the weekend. Between 4 and 8 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible, were expected across southern Alabama, Florida’s Panhandle and Big Bend regions, and southwestern Georgia.
Weather officials also warned of the potential for tornadoes in parts of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and the Carolinas. Additional rainfall could cause further flooding across the Southeast, with the storm’s effects potentially extending into parts of the Midwest and Northeast by Monday.
Air travel was also disrupted Friday, with most flights grounded at several Panhandle airports. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport suspended all arriving and departing flights.
The full extent of the damage was not immediately known as emergency officials continued to assess conditions across the affected areas.
Credit: The Times of Israel / Associated Press
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