Hurricane Isaias Leaves Two Dead and Hundreds of Thousands Without Power in Gulf States
Hurricane Isaias struck the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm, causing at least two deaths in Florida and Alabama. One person died in Escambia County, Fla., when a tree fell on a home, and another death was reported in Jefferson County, Ala. About 780,000 customers remained without power across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia as crews worked to clear roads and restore electricity.
Isaias came ashore near Destin, Fla., late Friday at Category 2 strength, carrying 105 mph winds. Its surge rose about 5 feet, below the 6-to-9-foot ceiling forecasters had warned was possible with peak high tide. The system later lost hurricane status and, by early Saturday, its sustained winds were down to 35 mph.
Two deaths were tied to the storm: one in Escambia County, Fla., where a person was trapped under a tree that fell into a home, and one in Jefferson County, Ala., where a tree hit a single-family house. Around 780,000 electricity accounts in Florida, Alabama and Georgia remained out Saturday late morning, down from about 900,000 earlier.
The storm’s aftermath could disrupt daily life for hundreds of thousands of households across Florida, Alabama and Georgia, especially if outages persist. People relying on powered medical equipment, older adults, and low-income residents may face heightened risks. Local agencies and utility crews could be stretched by road clearing, restoration work, and inland flood or tornado threats. Recovery may also affect small businesses and workers whose routines depend on electricity, transportation, and reopened roads.