Hurricane Isaias has killed four people and left about 500,000 without power across the southern United States. Strong winds and heavy rain damaged homes, brought down trees and flooded roads. Rescue teams worked to help people as officials warned that dangerous conditions could continue.
Two deaths were reported in Florida and two in Alabama. Many homes and businesses lost electricity by Saturday evening. Fallen trees blocked roads, while strong winds tore roofs from buildings. Floodwater also trapped people in vehicles, leading to urgent rescue efforts.
Isaias made landfall in Florida late Friday with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour. That is about 168 kilometres per hour. The storm later weakened and was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.
Florida, Alabama and Georgia declared states of emergency before the storm arrived. Florida and Alabama also ordered thousands of people to leave areas at risk. Officials urged residents to follow warnings and avoid dangerous places.
Two storm-related deaths were reported in Escambia County, Florida. Sheriff Chip Simmons said one victim was a woman who died when a tree fell on her home.
Her husband, Joey Williams, said the couple had gone outside to take pictures of the storm damage. They returned inside, but a tree soon crashed through the roof. Williams managed to escape, while his wife did not survive.
The incident showed how quickly conditions can become deadly during severe weather. Even people inside their homes may face risks from falling trees and damaged roofs. Officials have urged residents to stay away from trees that may fall or lose large branches.
A second death in Escambia County was linked to a generator. A man died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator was used in a garage without proper airflow. Four other people from the same home were taken to hospital.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that people cannot see or smell. It can build up when fuel-powered equipment runs in an enclosed space. Officials have warned residents never to use generators inside homes, garages or other closed areas.
Generators should be placed outdoors, far from doors, windows and air vents. Power cuts can make backup equipment useful, but unsafe use can create another serious danger during an emergency.
Flooding caused further problems across Florida. The Florida National Guard shared details of a rescue involving a truck stuck in a flooded ditch. Soldiers entered the water and helped the people inside the vehicle reach safety.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that flooding remained a serious risk. He described the situation as very dangerous and urged people to take official warnings seriously. Residents were advised to avoid flooded roads and follow directions from emergency teams.
Images from the state showed damage to homes and public buildings. In Milton, strong winds blew the roof off an apartment complex. A petrol station canopy also collapsed in Gulf Breeze as the storm swept through the area.
Fallen trees, blocked roads and damaged buildings added to the work facing emergency crews. Power companies began checking damaged lines and working to restore electricity. Officials had not yet confirmed the full cost of the damage.
Alabama also suffered deaths and storm damage. A sheriff was injured when a tree fell on him while he was responding to a car crash.
Governor Kay Ivey confirmed that two people had died in Alabama. She did not provide further details about the deaths in her public statement.
Ivey also warned that strong winds and heavy rain could produce tornadoes in parts of the state. She urged residents to follow trusted weather reports and check for new warnings before travelling.
Officials across the affected states asked people to remain alert while emergency crews assessed the damage. Residents were also told to avoid fallen power lines, blocked roads and areas covered by floodwater.
Other storms were also threatening parts of North America. Hurricane Simon had strengthened to Category 4 in the Pacific Ocean and was moving toward Mexico’s Pacific coast. It was expected to make landfall overnight.
Tropical Storm Rachel was also forecast to affect southern California later on Saturday. Officials and residents were watching both systems as the risk of severe weather continued.
The deaths and widespread power cuts caused by Isaias show the dangers that powerful storms can bring. Emergency teams continued rescue work, while authorities urged residents to follow safety advice.
Restoring electricity and clearing blocked roads remained key tasks. Officials also warned people not to drive through floodwater or run generators in enclosed spaces. Residents were advised to check official updates as crews worked to assess the full impact of the storm.
