Isaias made landfall near Destin Florida as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds before weakening rapidly to a post-tropical cyclone with 65 mph winds over southern Alabama. Hundreds of thousands lost power in Florida and Alabama.
Hurricane Isaias, the first of the 2026 Atlantic season, made landfall near Destin in the Florida Panhandle late Friday as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. It then weakened quickly, becoming a post-tropical cyclone by early Saturday with winds of 65 mph while crossing southern Alabama.
The center was about 55 miles south-southwest of Montgomery Alabama. Forecasters warned of continued gusty winds, storm surge, urban and river flooding and flash floods across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and southwest Georgia. Hundreds of thousands of customers in Florida and Alabama lost power.
States of emergency were in effect in Florida and Alabama. The storm had earlier intensified to Category 3 before weakening ahead of landfall. All hurricane warnings were canceled as it moved inland.
Officials urged residents to shelter in place and avoid travel amid debris and flooding. The NHC said the system would continue to weaken below gale force later Saturday.
People Sentiments Negative
- National Hurricane Center said life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding were possible.
- Power outages affected hundreds of thousands in Florida and Alabama.