AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Widespread Power Outages Following Hurricane Isaias
Nearly 396,000 customers across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama were left without power early Sunday as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias moved north. The storm, now passing into the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic region, continues to cause significant disruptions with moderate to heavy rainfall forecasted along its path.
Heavy Rainfall Remains Main Hazard as Isaias Moves North
According to Philippe Papin, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, heavy rainfall is expected to be the primary hazard as Isaias tracks northward. Scattered power outages, as well as downed trees and power lines, are possible across the southeastern U.S. and mid-Atlantic. The National Weather Service also warned of continued life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf and southeastern Atlantic coasts.
Storm Damage and Fatalities in Florida and Alabama
At least four deaths have been attributed to the storm. In Florida’s Escambia County, Sheriff Chip Simmons reported that a woman died when a tree fell on her home, and a man succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generator fumes in his garage. Four other family members affected by the fumes, aged 4 to 72, were treated and are expected to survive. In Alabama, one death was reported in Birmingham when a tree fell on a house, according to city fire chief Cory Moon. Another fatality in Barbour County, Alabama, occurred in a vehicle crash involving a downed tree, as reported by Josh Johnson of the state's emergency management agency.
Significant Storm Damage in the Southeast
Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Destin, Florida, an area well known for its vacation properties and attractions. The hurricane-force winds removed the roof of a hotel in Pensacola and caused damage to the city’s airport. Additional storm damage included the destruction of a boathouse in Destin and partial loss of a high-rise facade in Panama City Beach. Residents and workers spent Saturday morning assessing damage, cleaning debris, and returning tossed beach chairs to their places. Authorities in Mobile, Alabama, reported numerous downed trees and power lines along the Gulf Coast, contributing to widespread power outages and travel disruptions.
Federal Response and Energy Concerns
Federal emergency declarations were approved by President Donald Trump for Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, allowing for additional federal aid. To address possible disruptions in fuel supply, the U.S. Energy Department permitted emergency exchanges of crude oil from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve. The National Weather Service warned that parts of Georgia and the Carolinas were at risk of heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding as the storm progressed.
Other Severe Weather Events
While Hurricane Isaias affected the southeastern US and mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean saw Category 4 Hurricane Simon, with wind speeds of 150 mph, approaching Mexico’s coast. Simon was expected to bring heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding and mudslides to southwestern Mexico. In addition, Rachel, having become a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to deliver heavy winds and rain to northern Mexico and Southern California.
Source: abcnews.com.
