Hurricane Isaias Hits Gulf and Knocks Out Power

Hurricane Isaias struck the northern Gulf Coast late Friday, making landfall near Destin, Florida as a Category 2 storm. After coming ashore on the Florida Panhandle, the system weakened as it moved inland and was later classified as a post-tropical cyclone. Even as it lost strength, the storm continued to move across parts of the Southeast, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

Meteorological observations recorded notable wind speeds along the coast. Peak gusts reached 117 miles per hour at Oriole Beach and 116 miles per hour at Santa Rosa Sound, while Pensacola City Hall registered 102 miles per hour. These conditions contributed to structural damage, falling trees and widespread service disruptions.

Officials reported at least four deaths in Florida and Alabama linked to Hurricane Isaias. Two of the fatalities occurred when trees fell on homes, one in each state. Another person in Alabama died in a traffic accident that involved downed trees, underscoring the dangers on roadways during and after the storm.

In Florida, a man was found dead in a closed garage where a generator had been running, highlighting the additional risks that can follow power loss. Authorities tied all of these incidents directly to the storm’s impacts as they continued to assess damage and monitor conditions across the region.

The combination of high winds and falling trees led to significant power outages. Power-tracking services reported roughly 843,000 customers without electricity across the Southeast following landfall. The blackouts extended across the Florida Panhandle, Alabama and neighboring areas affected by the storm’s track.

By Saturday afternoon, utility crews had begun assessing damaged lines and substations while working to restore service. The scale of the outages, along with blocked roads and ongoing weather concerns, meant that restoration efforts were expected to take time in some communities.

Multiple local and state emergency declarations remained in effect as cleanup and recovery advanced. Authorities focused on clearing debris, reopening transportation routes and supporting residents affected by power cuts and property damage.

As Isaias weakened over central Alabama and transitioned away from hurricane status, it continued to produce periods of heavy rain and gusty winds. Officials emphasized that even after the storm’s core passed, lingering hazards from downed trees, damaged infrastructure and unstable ground conditions required continued caution.