Isaias Leaves Thousands Without Power, Kills at Least 4 People
Downpours spread across the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic as Isaias’ remnants headed north after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in three states and killing at least four people in Florida and Alabama.
Downpours from the remnants of hurricane Isaias swept across the Appalachian region and Mid-Atlantic states as the storm's remnants moved northward. The aftermath left hundreds of thousands without power in three states and led to at least four deaths, one each in Alabama, Florida, and a garage in Escambia County, Florida. Another fatality occurred inside a garage due to carbon-monoxide poisoning from a generator running inside.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey confirmed another death in her state, though she did not provide further details. The US Weather Prediction Center forecast widespread moderate to heavy precipitation across the Upper Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and coastal North Carolina. The US Storm Prediction Center warned about a level two risk for severe thunderstorms, which can cause heavy downpours and spawn tornadoes through the weekend.
The storm also impacted energy production in the Gulf of Mexico, with 685,000 homes and businesses still without power as of Saturday evening. Oil output in the Gulf of Mexico saw a significant decline as companies evacuated crews from platforms for precaution and drillers moved rigs out of the storm's path. Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 storm near Destin, Florida, with winds of 105 miles per hour.
It transformed into a post-tropical cyclone shortly after making landfall. The storm brought widespread rain, up to 8 inches in some areas, with localized spots receiving up to 15 inches. While the tropical risks receded in the east, western Mexico and the US Southwest faced potential threats from Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Simon.
Rachel was expected to hit near the US-Mexico border in northern Baja California late Saturday, causing flooding rains across the US Southwest, including parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. Meanwhile, Hurricane Simon, a Category 4 storm approaching the west-central coast of Mexico, was forecast to produce catastrophic wind and life-threatening storm surge impacts along a portion of the coast.
Heavy rains, up to 40 inches in isolated areas, would cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
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