Hurricane Isaias leaves two dead and 800,000 without power in US Southeast | Weather News
Storm Damage Reported Across Florida and Alabama Amid Flooding and Tornado Warnings
Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, has resulted in two fatalities and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power across parts of the southeastern United States.
The storm made landfall near Destin, Florida, Friday evening as a Category 2 hurricane, later weakening as it moved inland through Alabama overnight.
Local emergency officials confirmed that one person died in Birmingham, Alabama, when a tree fell on their home, while another fatality occurred in Escambia County, Florida, due to a similar incident. Despite these reports, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated on Saturday that his office had yet to verify any storm-related deaths, including the one from Escambia County.
Isaias hit land with sustained winds reaching 169 kilometers per hour (105 miles per hour), bringing heavy rain and strong gusts to the Florida Panhandle. By Saturday morning, the storm had transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone with wind speeds of approximately 55 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour).
As of early Saturday, over 900,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia experienced power outages, a figure that has since decreased to under 800,000, according to PowerOutage.us. The storm caused widespread disruption, with fallen trees and downed power lines blocking roads in several areas, particularly in southern Alabama, where significant flooding occurred.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed concerns about ongoing threats from “strong winds, heavy rain, and possible spinoff tornadoes.” Meanwhile, Pensacola officials reported substantial wind damage at local airports and hotels, with debris scattering across the city.
Despite the storm’s weakening, officials cautioned that dangerous conditions may persist. Heavy rainfall continues to pose a risk for flash flooding throughout regions of the Southeast.
Governor DeSantis remarked about the potential for further flooding, stating, “The flooding story is not over.” He indicated that saturated ground combined with ongoing rainfall could lead to hazardous conditions even after the storm has passed. He also noted that state search and rescue resources remain on standby in case of emergency situations arising from rapidly rising waters.
Additionally, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged residents to remain vigilant against potential scammers looking to exploit storm victims as the process of recovery begins.
Power restoration efforts are ongoing as crews work to clear fallen branches and restore service to affected communities.
