Isaias Weakens to Post-Tropical Cyclone as Flooding and Torn

Isaias weakened overnight and was no longer considered a hurricane, but flash flooding threats and the potential for tornadoes persisted Saturday as the storm moved inland across Alabama. The storm, now considered a post-tropical cyclone, made landfall Friday as a Category 2 hurricane, then quickly moved north through Alabama as its wind speeds dropped sharply to 35 mph (55 kph).

The possibility of life-threatening storm surges still loomed for parts of the Florida Panhandle, along with a potential for 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Big Bend over the weekend. Early Saturday, Isaias was about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south-southwest of Montgomery, Alabama, and nearly 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Birmingham, Alabama, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph), the NHC said Saturday.

All tropical storm and storm surge warnings have been discontinued. However, forecasters warned that conditions could stir up tornadoes across parts of the Florida Panhandle and into Georgia and the Carolinas.

First Atlantic Hurricane Makes Landfall in Florida

Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Hurricane-force winds lashed the Gulf shoreline in the low-lying coastal area known for powdery white-sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars, and seafood shacks.

“The storm is here. Buckle down at this point. Don’t be getting out on the roads,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Friday.

The storm brought significant wind damage and flooding to communities unprepared for such an early-season hurricane strike. Roads in Destin were flooded, while in nearby Pensacola, police warned residents to stay off the streets because of debris across roadways. While the extent of the damage was not immediately known, many area residents posted pictures online of downed trees and power lines, and one social media video showed a roof being ripped off an inn in Pensacola, illustrating the storm’s destructive power as it made its initial landfall.

Significant Damage Reported in Pensacola Region

Strong hurricane winds blew the roof off a hotel in Pensacola, and the city’s mayor, D.C. Reeves, said on his Facebook page that the airport “took some damage.” Some power was out downtown, he noted, and there were trees and power lines down in some areas.

Some Panhandle counties temporarily suspended emergency response services as the storm passed overhead. The immediate aftermath left many communities assessing damage while officials urged residents to remain indoors until conditions improved.

Flood Watch Extended Through Sunday Morning

A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday morning for portions of central, east central, north central, northeast, northwest, southeast, and west central Georgia. The National Weather Service warned that excessive rainfall continued to be possible across a wide swath of the state.

Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias continued to bring bands of moderate to heavy rainfall to the area through Saturday night. Total estimated rainfall so far showed 1 to 4 inches in western Georgia, with lesser amounts to the east. Further bands of heavy rainfall remained possible for eastern Georgia, with more steady rainfall across north Georgia.

Expected rainfall totals remained at a general 1 to 4 inches, with a localized swath of up to 8 inches possible by the event’s end. Tropical rainfall rates and training bands of thunderstorms could lead to both flash and riverine flooding across the region.

Widespread Flooding Risks Across Georgia

Weather officials warned that excessive runoff might result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding could occur in poor drainage and urban areas as the storm system continued to dump heavy rain across the Southeast.

The affected areas included dozens of counties spanning from the Alabama border through central Georgia and into the northeastern parts of the state. Among the counties under flood watch were Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Dodge, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Wilkinson in central Georgia.

In east central Georgia, the watch covered Emanuel, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson, Taliaferro, Treutlen, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes. North central Georgia counties under the watch included Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Lumpkin, Morgan, Newton, North Fulton, Pickens, Rockdale, South Fulton, Union, and Walton.

Storm Expected to Move Into Tennessee Valley

Isaias was expected to move into the Tennessee Valley later Saturday and Sunday. The storm’s northward progression meant that flash flooding and tornado threats would shift along with the system’s movement through the interior Southeast.

Residents in areas prone to flooding were advised to monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in vulnerable areas should be prepared to take action should flooding develop, according to National Weather Service guidance.

The storm marked an early start to the Atlantic hurricane season, catching some coastal communities off guard with its rapid intensification before land