Nearly 396,000 customers across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama remained without power early Sunday as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias moved northward. This storm, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Destin, Florida, has left widespread moderate to heavy rainfall in its wake, particularly across the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic region.
Philippe Papin, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, emphasized that heavy rainfall was expected to be the “primary hazard” as the storm continued its path north. Areas in the southeastern U.S. and mid-Atlantic could experience scattered power outages, downed trees, and power lines, while life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were anticipated along the Gulf and southeastern Atlantic coasts, according to the National Weather Service.
“We’re expecting that heavy rainfall to continue here across the central Appalachians into the mid-Atlantic during the day on Sunday,” Papin stated. He also noted the potential for isolated flash and urban flooding, along with residual gusty winds as the system progresses up the Appalachian mountains.
Tragically, at least four fatalities have been linked to the storm, with two individuals killed by falling trees in Florida and Alabama. Forecasters are warning that flooding could extend into the Appalachian region, raising concerns for residents in those areas.
Hurricane Isaias made its initial impact as it came ashore, causing substantial damage in cities known for their tourism. Pensacola experienced hurricane-force winds that blew the roof off a hotel, while the local airport also reported damage. In Destin, the storm flattened a boathouse and severely impacted a high-rise building in Panama City Beach.
In Escambia County, Florida, Sheriff Chip Simmons reported that a woman lost her life when a tree fell on her house. Additionally, a man died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a generator running in his garage, although family members were treated for their injuries and were expected to survive.
In Alabama, one fatality occurred when a tree fell on a residence in Birmingham, and another death was reported due to a vehicle accident involving a downed tree in Barbour County. Authorities in Mobile noted numerous downed trees and power lines, further complicating recovery efforts.
In response to the devastation, President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, enabling federal aid to assist recovery efforts. Furthermore, the U.S. Energy Department authorized emergency exchanges of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address supply disruptions caused by the storm.
The National Weather Service cautioned that parts of Georgia and the Carolinas could face heavy rainfall capable of causing flash floods in the coming days. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Hurricane Simon was classified as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 150 mph (241 kph) as it approached Mexico’s coast, raising concerns about heavy rainfall and potential flooding in southwestern Mexico.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, recovery efforts are underway to restore power and assist those affected by the storm. For residents and local authorities alike, the focus remains on safety and rebuilding in the wake of this powerful hurricane.
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Associated Press reporter Julie Walker in New York contributed to this article.
