USA · Southern United States
Hurricane Isaias Leaves 4 Dead in US South
In brief
Four people died and hundreds of thousands lost power after Hurricane Isaias hit parts of the southern United States with strong winds and heavy rain. Officials reported two deaths each in Alabama and Florida, including people killed when trees fell on homes.
According to the BBC, at least 600,000 customers were without electricity across several states by Saturday afternoon. Alabama, Florida and Georgia had declared states of emergency before landfall, and Florida and Alabama ordered mandatory evacuations for thousands of residents.
NOAA warned that the Carolinas and Georgia could still see flooding from up to about 10 inches (25 cm) of rain as the storm moved north-east. Separately, Tropical Storm Rachel was expected to affect southern California later Saturday, and Hurricane Simon was forecast to hit Mexico’s Pacific coast on Sunday.
Isaias was described as the first hurricane of this Atlantic season, which had been slow to start under El Niño conditions. Residents were urged to avoid downed lines and flooded roads until utilities and local officials gave the all-clear.
Why it matters
The storm shows how late-season Atlantic hurricanes can still cut power and claim lives across several US states at once.
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Sources
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