Hurricane Tracker Shows Isaias Killing Four and Cutting Power to 600,000 Across Southern US
The hurricane tracker shows Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida as a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds. [3] Four people died across Florida and Alabama while at least 600,000 remained without power. [3] The storm prompted tornado watches in Georgia coastal areas. [3]
Isaias Landfall and Immediate Impacts
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida on late Friday with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour before being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone. [3] Officials reported two deaths each in Alabama and Florida. [3] In Florida's Escambia County a woman died after a tree fell on her house. [3] A man died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in a garage that was not properly ventilated. [3] Four other people in the same house were taken to hospital. [3] At least 600,000 people were without power in several states as of Saturday afternoon. [3] A shop had its roof torn off in Milton, Florida. [3] The roof was blown off an apartment complex in Milton, Florida. [3] The storm felled trees and damaged houses. [3] Alabama, Florida and Georgia all declared states of emergency ahead of its arrival. [3] Both Florida and Alabama issued mandatory evacuation orders to thousands of people. [3]
Rescue Efforts and Official Warnings
Officials had to rescue people in vehicles that were submerged by flood waters. [3] The Florida National Guard shared pictures of a truck stuck in a flood ditch, saying soldiers stopped, swam to the vehicle and pulled its occupants to safety. [3] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said flooding was a continued risk and warned of a very hazardous situation. [3] In neighbouring Alabama a sheriff was injured when a tree fell on him as he was responding to a car crash. [3] Governor Kay Ivey said two Alabamians have lost their lives. [3] She also said officials were concerned about spinoff tornadoes in the state from the strong winds and heavy rain. [3]
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida as a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds. — Source: mexiconewsdaily
Tornado Watches Extended in Georgia
The National Weather Service has extended Tornado Watch 679 to include the following areas until 8 PM EDT this evening. [1] This watch includes the adjacent coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary. [1] In Georgia this watch includes five counties in southeast Georgia: Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, Long and McIntosh. [2] This includes the cities of Darien, Fort Stewart, Garden City, Hinesville, Ludowici, Pembroke, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Savannah, and Tybee Island. [2]
Forecast for the Carolinas and Continued Flood Risk
The storm is expected to continue to weaken as it travels to the north-east. [3] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned the Carolinas and Georgia could see floods from up to 10 inches of rainfall. [3] In Charleston, South Carolina, officials asked people to stay home on Saturday night as high tide is expected to reach 7.5ft. [3] After dark, floodwater is much harder to see, and it is impossible to judge how deep it is from behind the wheel. [3]
Simultaneous Pacific Threats from Simon and Rachel
Simon, currently located off the Pacific coast of Jalisco and Colima, is now a Category 4 hurricane and will make landfall this weekend. [4] Hurricane Simon strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on Saturday morning, with sustained winds of 230 km/h. [4] The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the eye could pass near or over Mexico's west-central coast late Saturday or Sunday. [4] Far out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Rachel, which briefly reached hurricane strength, stayed clear of the Mexican coastline on Saturday but was expected to weaken and send its remnants toward Baja California and the U.S. Southwest. [4] In addition to Isaias, Tropical Storm Rachel is expected to hit southern California later on Saturday, and Hurricane Simon will hit the Pacific coast of Mexico on Sunday. [3]
Broader Atlantic Season Context
Hurricane Isaias was the first hurricane in the Atlantic's hurricane season. [3] Isaias became the season's first hurricane Wednesday night, the latest first hurricane in the 60-year modern era. [4] It followed Mexico's first hurricane-free Atlantic September since 1994, a contrast with a Pacific that had produced nine hurricanes by Wednesday. [4] Experts point to a super El Niño, which warms Pacific waters and raises wind shear in the Atlantic. [4]
What to watch next: Hurricane Simon is forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 storm on Mexico’s Pacific coast this weekend while Tropical Storm Rachel is expected to affect southern California and the U.S. Southwest.
