Hundreds of thousands without power after Isaias slams the Florida Panhandle and Alabama

Hundreds of thousands without power after Isaias slams the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Hurricane Isaias has hit the U.S. Gulf Coast, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Hurricane Isaias, a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph, made landfall just before midnight on Thursday along the Alabama‑Florida border. The cyclone’s eye passed over the western Florida Panhandle before veering inland, bringing torrential rain, a 10‑foot storm surge and wind‑driven debris that toppled power lines across a swath of the Gulf Coast..

Emergency managers estimate that more than 350,000 customers have lost electricity, with the hardest‑hit areas ranging from Mobile, Alabama, to Pensacola, Florida. State officials declared a state of emergency in both Alabama and Florida as the storm surged inland. Governor Kay Ivey activated the Alabama Emergency Operations Center, mobilising the National Guard, the Alabama Highway Patrol and over 2,000 volunteers from the Alabama Red Cross..

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the Florida Division of Emergency Management to pre‑position supplies at four major shelters, and the Florida National Guard was placed on standby to assist with road clearance and rescue operations. Power crews from regional utilities, including Alabama Power and Gulf Power, are working through the night to restore service. Crews report that more than 1,200 miles of overhead lines have been downed, many of them in remote, heavily forested areas that are difficult to access..

The first priority is to restore power to critical facilities such as hospitals, water treatment plants and emergency shelters, while crews also focus on clearing fallen trees that have blocked access roads and impeded emergency response. The storm’s rain bands have dumped upwards of 12 inches of water in some locations, triggering flash‑flooding that has inundated low‑lying neighborhoods. In Mobile, the downtown riverfront saw water levels rise to near‑record heights, prompting the city’s flood‑control officials to open the Mobile Bay causeway floodgates..

In Pensacola, the Escambia River breached its banks, flooding several streets and forcing the evacuation of a mobile home park. Local authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the most vulnerable flood zones. Meteorologists say Isaias is expected to retain tropical‑storm strength as it tracks northeast across the Deep South, potentially bringing heavy rain to interior Georgia and the Carolinas..

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of the region, warning of isolated tornadoes, hail and damaging straight‑line winds. Residents are being urged to stay indoors, keep emergency kits on hand and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm’s impacts subside. Hospitals across the affected area have activated emergency protocols to cope with the power outage..

In the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, backup generators are running at full capacity, while staff have been instructed to defer non‑essential procedures. In Florida, the Baptist Health system in Pensacola reported that all critical care units remain operational, though some outpatient clinics have been forced to close temporarily due to power loss. The agricultural sector is also feeling the strain..

Cotton and peanut growers in southern Alabama are reporting field flooding that threatens crop yields, while citrus growers in the Florida Panhandle warn that prolonged power outages could jeopardise refrigeration of harvested fruit. The Alabama Department of Agriculture has set up a disaster assistance hotline to help farmers file claims for damage and to coordinate the distribution of emergency feed for livestock whose barns have lost power. Local businesses are scrambling to assess damage and plan for recovery..

In downtown Gulf Shores, a string of restaurants and boutique shops suffered roof damage from wind‑driven debris, and owners are now facing the prospect of costly repairs. The Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce has pledged to work with state officials to secure federal disaster relief funds, emphasizing the importance of a swift economic rebound for the region’s tourism‑dependent economy. Transportation networks have been severely disrupted..

Major highways, including I‑10 and US‑90, have sections closed due to fallen trees and flooded underpasses. The Alabama Department of Transportation has deployed a fleet of 40 snow‑plow‑type trucks to clear debris, while the Florida Department of Transportation is coordinating with the Coast Guard to keep the Pensacola Bay Bridge open for emergency vehicles. Commuters are being urged to use alternate routes and to monitor real‑time traffic updates via the state’s 511 service..

In the wake of the power loss, many residents have turned to generators and solar backup systems. However, officials caution that improper use of generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. The Alabama Health Department has issued a public safety alert reminding households to operate generators outdoors, away from windows and doors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors..

In Florida, the Department of Health has partnered with local fire stations to conduct free safety inspections for families using temporary power sources. Federal assistance is already being mobilised. President Joe Biden’s administration has approved a disaster declaration for the affected counties, unlocking $1 billion in FEMA aid for individuals, businesses and public infrastructure..

FEMA’s Regional Office in Atlanta has dispatched rapid‑deployment teams to set up temporary housing units, provide emergency food supplies and assist with the restoration of critical water and sewage services. The agency also plans to conduct damage assessments over the next week to determine the full scope of federal support required. Community volunteers have begun.