Hurricane Isaias has made landfall in Florida, bringing life-threatening flooding and powerful winds that have prompted widespread evacuations across the region.
The storm downgraded slightly to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) before making landfall along Florida’s western panhandle on Friday evening.
Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have all declared states of emergency as meteorologists warned of dangerous storm surge capable of causing up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) of flooding in vulnerable coastal areas.
Isaias is currently one of three active storm systems affecting North America this weekend, with additional systems impacting Mexico and Southern California due to El Niño-driven warm Pacific waters.
Both Florida and Alabama have implemented mandatory evacuation orders in response to the approaching hurricane.
In Florida, evacuation orders include coastal communities directly in the storm’s projected path. Senator Rick Scott urged residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately, posting on social media: “DO NOT WAIT! Get out NOW!”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a mandatory evacuation for all non-residents, tourists, and visitors in counties expected to experience significant storm impacts.
Hurricane Isaias marks the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, which has been notably delayed due to El Niño conditions in the Pacific.
This represents the first time in over three decades that hurricane formation in the Atlantic has been delayed until October.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Hurricane Isaias poses a significant threat of “life-threatening storm surge” to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Following its impact on Florida, the center of Hurricane Isaias is projected to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Friday evening, hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from Isaias’ center, while tropical storm-force winds reached as far as 205 miles (335 km).
