Four dead and thousands without power after Hurricane Isaias lashes US

Four people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands remain without power following Hurricane Isaias' impact on parts of the southern US, causing powerful winds and heavy rain. In Alabama and Florida, two fatalities each were reported, with individuals dying after trees fell on their homes. An estimated 500,000 people in multiple states were without electricity as of Saturday evening, according to PowerOutage tracker.

Isaias made landfall in Florida on Friday with winds reaching 105mph (168km/h) before weakening to a post-tropical cyclone. The storm caused tree damage and roof destruction. Both Florida and Alabama declared states of emergency, along with issuing mandatory evacuation orders in those states. Hurricane Simon, a Category 4 storm, is threatening Mexico's Pacific coast and is expected to make landfall later that night, while Tropical Storm Rachel is forecast to hit southern California later on Saturday.

Two fatalities in Florida's Escambia County were reported, one from a tree falling on a house and another from carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper generator ventilation. Four others in the same household were hospitalized. Floodwaters submerged vehicles, requiring rescue efforts by the Florida National Guard. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis warned of ongoing flood risks and hazardous conditions.

In Alabama, a sheriff was injured when a tree fell on him during a car crash response. Governor Kay Ivey reported two Alabama deaths but did not provide details. Charleston, South Carolina, advised residents to stay indoors on Saturday night due to high tide predictions of 7.5ft (2.3m). NOAA forecasted potential 10 inches (25cm) of rainfall in the Carolinas and Georgia, leading to possible flooding.