Isaias Cuts Power to Thousands in Florida and Alabama

Hurricane Isaias left widespread destruction across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, leaving nearly 396,000 customers without power early Sunday. The storm's path of damage stretched across coastal towns and inland, disrupting communities and prompting an extensive cleanup effort.

Storm Brings Rain and Flooding Risks to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

As Isaias weakened and moved northward, its remnants brought moderate to heavy rainfall across the central Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic region. Philippe Papin, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, described heavy rainfall as the 'primary hazard' expected from the storm as it continued its path north. The National Weather Service also warned of ongoing flash flooding risks in these areas, with warnings of isolated urban flooding and residual gusty winds associated with the system.

Storm Damage: Winds, Downed Trees, and Power Lines

The hurricane made landfall as a Category 2 storm on Friday near Destin, Florida. Winds destroyed property, including blowing the roof off a Pensacola hotel, flattening a boathouse in Destin, and tearing away part of a high-rise facade in Panama City Beach. Downed trees and power lines were reported throughout Alabama's Gulf Coast. In Pensacola, damage was also reported at the city airport, according to the mayor.

Storm Casualties and Emergency Response

At least four deaths have been linked to Hurricane Isaias. Two people were killed when trees fell onto their homes in Florida and Alabama. In Escambia County, Florida, a man died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in his garage, while four family members, ages 4 to 72, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Alabama also reported storm-related deaths, including a fatality from a tree falling on a house in Birmingham and another in a vehicle crash involving a downed tree in Barbour County.

Federal Aid and Emergency Declarations

President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, facilitating federal assistance to the affected regions. The U.S. Energy Department also authorized emergency exchanges of crude oil from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve to address potential disruptions in energy supply caused by the storm.

Wider Weather Impacts and Ongoing Risks

Forecasters warned of continuing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf and southeastern Atlantic coasts. Parts of Georgia and the Carolinas were also cautioned about the risk of heavy rain and potential flash flooding as the remnants of Isaias moved up the Appalachian spine. Elsewhere, in the Pacific, Category 4 storm Simon and post-tropical cyclone Rachel were approaching Mexico and southern California, bringing additional risks of heavy winds, rain, flooding, and mudslides to those areas.

Source: wral.com.