Hurricane Isaias Downgraded After Making Landfall in Florida

Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, made landfall on Friday night along the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. The storm has since been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, according to CBS News. Hundreds of thousands of households in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia are without power, and each state has declared a state of emergency due to warnings of life-threatening storm surges. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Florida and Alabama for areas directly impacted by the storm. Florida Senator Rick Scott urged residents in designated areas to evacuate immediately, stating on social media, "DO NOT WAIT! Get out NOW!" Alabama Governor Kay Ivey also issued a mandatory evacuation for non-residents and tourists in key counties likely to be heavily affected. Isaias is notable for being the first hurricane in the Atlantic's hurricane season, which has been delayed due to El Niño conditions in the Pacific. This marks the first time in over 30 years that a hurricane did not form until October. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of potential life-threatening storm surges along the Gulf Coast. Following its impact in Florida, Isaias is expected to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley over the weekend. As of Friday evening, hurricane-force winds extended up to 35 miles (55 km) from the storm's center, with tropical storm-force winds reaching as far as 205 miles (335 km). On Saturday morning, the NHC discontinued all hurricane warnings, but a storm surge warning remains in effect for parts of Florida, along with a tropical storm warning for the state and eastern Alabama. The Florida Panhandle and the Gulf Coast are experiencing strong winds and heavy rain, with the possibility of tornadoes, according to Melissa Watson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. Residents who have not evacuated are advised to have multiple ways to receive warnings and to move to higher ground if near the coast. Prior to landfall, over 430,000 customers in Florida and nearly 300,000 in Alabama were without power, as reported by PowerOutage.us. The hurricane's winds are expected to be felt further inland in Georgia, where approximately 40,000 customers were already without power. Coastal residents in Florida have been advised to seek immediate shelter under an "Extreme Wind Warning." Some officials have emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders. John Guoth, a resident of Navarre, Florida, stated that he and his wife would remain in their home, while others in the area have taken precautions to secure their properties. The Waffle House chain closed several locations in the hurricane's path as a precaution. US President Donald Trump announced he would not attend a college football game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, due to the hurricane, opting instead to attend a rally in Tennessee. Additionally, two other storm systems are affecting North America this weekend: Hurricane Simon is approaching the Pacific coast of Mexico, and Tropical Storm Rachel is moving toward the US-Mexico border. The City of Newport Beach, California, has warned residents to avoid certain areas due to flooding caused by high tides and storm conditions.