In brief
Hurricane Isaias hit the Southern US late Friday, bringing 105‑mph winds and heavy rain that uprooted trees, damaged houses, and killed four people—two in Alabama, two in Florida. The storm left about 600,000 residents in several states power‑cut, as power companies scrambled to restore services. State governors issued emergency declarations, mandatory evacuations and warnings about flooding and hazardous conditions. Rescue crews, including the Florida National Guard, saved motorists stuck in flooded roads. The hurricane, the first of the season, showcases the growing risk of extreme weather linked to El Niño conditions.
Hurricane Isaias slammed the Southern US like a storm‑trooper at 105 miles per hour. The force hurled trees and rain over towns, knocked out power for 600,000 people, and claimed four lives—two in Alabama and two in Florida.
Officials say the first strike in Florida came on late Friday. An up‑and‑down wind gust unearthed trees that collapsed on houses, while a truck in a flooded ditch took a driver and three passengers. Rescue teams swam through waist‑deep water to pull them to safety.
A man in Florida died from carbon‑monoxide poisoning after running a generator inside a garage that had no proper ventilation. Four others were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Both Florida and Alabama governors declared states of emergency. Mandatory evacuation orders sent thousands to shelters. After the storm, the governor warned that floodwater could rise even after the wind died down, especially as water levels reached 10 inches across several states.
Road crews and utility crews worked round the clock to restore electricity, but many still remain off the grid. Residents are urged to stay indoors when high tide threatens to pour water into streets.
In a country facing El Niño’s suppression of traditional hurricane seasons, Isaias was a reminder of how volatile weather can suddenly strike communities. While the storm’s threat eases by the weekend, emergency services remain on high alert for aftermath challenges including potential secondary tornadoes and prolonged power outages.
