In brief
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 storm, bringing wind gusts up to 105 mph and heavy rain that toppled trees and tore roofs. Four fatalities were recorded—two in Alabama and two in Florida—largely caused by fallen trees and carbon‑monoxide poisoning from generators. Around half a million people across the South lost power as utility companies struggled to restore service. Emergency declarations and mandatory evacuations were issued by governors in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves northeast, but officials warn of continued flooding on the Carolinas and Georgia.
Hurricane Isaias strikes the Southeast
The storm struck Florida late Friday night with sustained winds of 105 mph, then peeled north into the Carolinas, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain. A combined total of four people died: two in Alabama and two in Florida, most deaths linked to trees falling on homes or exposed generators.
Power crisis and emergency orders
Power‑outage trackers show that roughly 500,000 residents across several states remain on the dark. Governor Ron DeSantis ordered evacuation of low‑lying areas in Florida and highlighted the risk of flooding, while Alabama and Georgia Governors Kay Ivey and Brian Kemp likewise declared emergencies and advised residents to remain inside.
Rescue and relief efforts
The Florida National Guard swam to stranded vehicles in flooded ditches and air‑lifted residents from isolated homesteads. In Alabama, a sheriff was injured when a tree toppled on the patrol vehicle while responding to a crash, underscoring the dangers for first responders.
Looking ahead
While Isaias will likely weaken into a post‑tropical system as it moves inland, NOAA forecasts up to 10 inches of rain in the Carolinas and Georgia, posing a flood threat. Residents in coastal towns such as Charleston are being advised to stay home after dark, as higher tide levels can increase flooding hazards.
This story was originally reported by BBC News on 10 October 2026.
