Post-tropical cyclone Isaias weakened as it moved northeast after making landfall in Florida’s Panhandle, but the storm left at least four people dead and hundreds of thousands without electricity across the southeastern United States, according to officials cited by The New York Times.
Two people died in Alabama and two in Florida in storm-related incidents. In Alabama’s Jefferson County, a person was killed when a tree fell on a house. Another person died in a vehicle crash involving fallen trees in Barbour County, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed that a man was found dead in a garage where a generator was running. Officials also reported another storm-related death in the state, bringing the overall toll to four.
DeSantis warned residents against operating generators indoors, where exhaust can cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Isaias Weakens as Cleanup Begins Along Gulf Coast
Isaias briefly strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane before weakening to Category 2 ahead of landfall near Destin, Florida, on Friday evening, with maximum sustained winds reported at 105 miles per hour.
The storm weakened further after moving inland. By early Saturday, it had been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, with winds reported at 65 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Residents across Florida’s Gulf Coast began clearing debris and assessing damage on Saturday. Fallen trees, damaged fences, crumpled garage doors and torn siding were reported in coastal communities, including Destin and Pensacola Beach.
Although the storm caused significant local damage, early assessments suggested that some communities had avoided the more severe destruction feared before landfall. Coastal flooding was also less intense than forecast in parts of the region.
Roads remained passable in several beach towns, while some shops and gas stations reopened and mobile phone service began returning. Cleanup crews and residents worked to remove fallen trees and clear damaged properties.
However, power outages remained widespread, leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without electricity as restoration work continued.
Heavy Rain and Flood Risks Shift Inland
The storm’s effects extended beyond Florida, with officials warning of additional rainfall, strong winds and possible flash flooding across parts of the Southeast.
The National Weather Service issued several tornado warnings for counties in eastern Georgia and central and southern South Carolina on Saturday. Hurricanes can generate tornadoes after landfall as rain bands interact with surface conditions.
North Carolina also prepared for heavy rain, gusty winds and flash flooding through Saturday night and into early Sunday. The state’s emergency management agency said western mountain communities faced the greatest rainfall threat, with many areas forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches and isolated locations potentially recording 8 to 10 inches.
The US Department of Energy also allowed ExxonMobil and BP America to borrow 2 million barrels of crude oil each from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address disruptions linked to Isaias. Both companies must replenish the oil by 2027, with additional barrels required as interest.
Authorities continued to urge residents to avoid downed power lines, use generators outdoors and monitor local weather alerts as the storm’s remnants moved farther inland.