Isaias brings rain, wind and leaves thousands without power

Isaias weakened overnight and no longer qualified as a hurricane on Saturday, but flash flooding and tornado threats continued as it moved inland across Alabama. The storm, now classified as a post-tropical cyclone, made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on Friday, then rapidly moved north through Alabama, losing significant wind speed to just 35 mph (55 kph).

However, the potential for dangerous storm surges remained for parts of Florida's Panhandle and a forecast of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain over southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Big Bend throughout the weekend.

By early Saturday, Isaias was approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south-southwest of Montgomery, Alabama, and about 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Birmingham, with sustained winds at 35 mph (55 kph). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicated it would move into the Tennessee Valley later that same day and into Sunday. All tropical storm and storm surge warnings had been lifted, but forecasters cautioned that conditions could still produce tornadoes in parts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as the season's first hurricane, causing severe damage along the Gulf shoreline. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advised residents to secure their homes and avoid driving due to flooded roads and debris. Pictures and videos circulated on social media showing downed trees, power lines, and roofs ripped from buildings in Pensacola.

In southern Alabama, flooding also occurred, with Mobile officials reporting downed trees and power lines, and Houston County roads closed due to similar conditions. Over 911,000 customers across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia were without power early Saturday, according to poweroutage.com.

Pensacola resident Tim Mowry recounted the storm's intensity, with wind sounds like a train whistle and his backyard filled with standing water and downed fence panels. However, he expressed relief at avoiding worse damage. The storm's impact extended beyond Florida, with heavy rain and flooding expected across the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast over the weekend and into Monday.

President Donald Trump canceled his appearance at the Georgia-Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa, citing a desire to avoid interfering with emergency response efforts. Meanwhile, Hurricane Simon intensified into a Category 4 storm off Mexico's coast, while Tropical Storm Rachel threatened northern Mexico and Southern California with strong winds and rain.