Isaias Weakens to Category 1 After Florida Landfall, NHC Warns of Surges

Hurricane Isaias loses strength but poses flood and storm surge threats across Gulf Coast.

A white lighthouse with a red roof stands next to a building as waves crash against the shore.
Hurricane Isaias weakens to Category 1 after making landfall in Florida, bringing warnings of storm surges and floods.
Key Points

Hurricane Isaias weakened to a Category 1 storm after making landfall in Florida, but the US National Hurricane Center warns of life-threatening storm surges and flash floods as it moves inland.

  • Isaias weakened to a Category 1 hurricane after making landfall near Destin, Florida.
  • The storm was 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Panama City, Florida, with 90 mph (150 kph) winds.
  • The NHC warned of life-threatening storm surges along the Gulf Coast.
  • Flash floods are expected to spread inland as the hurricane moves.
  • Isaias is projected to cross Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley over the weekend.
  • Nearly 380,000 in Florida and over 210,000 in Alabama lost power.

Hurricane Isaias rapidly lost windspeed on Friday, weakening into a Category 1 event after making landfall near Destin, Florida, the US National Hurricane Center said, but warned of danger from storm surges and floods as power links snapped.

The hurricane was about 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Panama City, Florida, packing maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph), the NHC said in its most recent advisory.

The agency warned against a life-threatening storm surge affecting the Gulf Coast as dangerous hurricane conditions and flash floods spread inland.

The hurricane is expected to cross Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley on the weekend, the agency added.

Nearly 380,000 people in Florida and more than 210,000 in Alabama were left without power as the storm hit shore, the website Poweroutage.us showed.

“Emergency declarations have been approved in Florida and Alabama to ensure federal resources are available to respond to Isaias,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on X.

Florida’s emergency services urged residents to shelter in place and watch for hurricane conditions across the state’s north after Isaias hit land as a category 2 storm.

Published: Saturday, 10 October 2026 | 1:21 PM IST

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