Hurricane Isaias Batters US Gulf Coast With Flooding, Power Cuts And Dangerous Winds

Hurricane Isaias battered the US Gulf Coast with damaging winds, heavy rain and flooding after making landfall near Destin, Florida, on Friday, October 9. The storm struck Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle with dangerous conditions, prompting evacuations, road closures and emergency response measures across the region.

The first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 kmph), according to the National Hurricane Center. It weakened below major hurricane strength before coming ashore and was no longer classified as a hurricane by early Saturday as its winds continued to decrease.

“The storm is here. Buckle down at this point. Don’t be getting out on the roads,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, warning that flash flooding would remain a significant threat across the region. Forecasters also warned of possible tornadoes in the Florida Panhandle and southern Georgia.

Flooded roads, fallen trees and damaged power lines were reported in Destin, Pensacola and parts of southern Alabama. A video circulating on social media showed the roof of an inn in Pensacola being ripped off by powerful winds. Some counties temporarily suspended emergency response operations on Friday night because conditions were too dangerous.

More than 664,000 customers in Florida and Alabama were without electricity early Saturday, according to poweroutage.com. Residents also reported property damage and disrupted travel, while officials warned motorists to avoid debris-covered roads.

Tim Mowry, who rode out the storm in Pensacola, said the wind sounded like a train whistle as it blew through a crack in his patio door. Although he lost power and parts of his fence were damaged, he said the storm was less severe than he had anticipated.

The National Hurricane Center warned that storm surges of three to five feet (0.91 to 1.52 metres) could affect areas between Dauphin Island, Alabama, and Florida’s Aucilla River. Mandatory evacuations were announced in several counties, while Mobile imposed an overnight curfew.

Florida deployed approximately 5,000 National Guard personnel to support emergency operations, and some prisons evacuated inmates. Dozens of Waffle House restaurants also closed across the Panhandle as officials warned of fuel shortages, power disruptions and highway closures.

Isaias was forecast to bring four to eight inches of rain, or more in some areas, across southern Alabama and southwestern Georgia through the weekend. Its remnants could bring flooding to other parts of the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast into Monday.

The storm was expected to miss major Gulf Coast oil hubs, although refinery disruptions could push fuel prices higher. Meanwhile, Hurricane Simon intensified in the Pacific, while Tropical Storm Rachel threatened parts of Mexico and Southern California with heavy rain and strong winds.