Four dead and thousands without power after Hurricane Isaias lashes US

October 10, 2026

Hurricane Isaias struck the southern United States with winds reaching 105 mph, causing four fatalities and leaving approximately 500,000 residents without electrical service. The storm claimed two lives each in Alabama and Florida, with deaths resulting from fallen trees crushing homes and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use. After making landfall in Florida on Friday evening, the hurricane was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone but continued causing significant destruction including downed trees, damaged roofs, and dangerous flooding across multiple states.

Who is affected

Four deceased individuals (two in Florida's Escambia County and two in Alabama)
Joey Williams, whose wife was killed by a falling tree
A man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning and four others hospitalized from the same incident
An injured Alabama sheriff struck by a falling tree
Approximately 500,000 people without power across multiple states
Thousands of evacuated residents in Florida and Alabama
Residents and officials in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and the Carolinas

What action is being taken

The Florida National Guard is conducting water rescue operations, having rescued vehicle occupants from flood waters
Officials are responding to car crashes and emergency situations
Charleston, South Carolina officials are asking residents to stay home due to expected high tide
Residents are removing ffallen trees
Authorities are monitoring for spinoff tornadoes in Alabama

Why it matters

This represents the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, which had been delayed due to El Niño conditions. The storm demonstrates the deadly and destructive power of hurricanes, causing multiple fatalities through various hazards including falling trees, carbon monoxide poisoning from emergency generators, and flooding. The widespread power outages and continued flood risks across multiple states indicate the storm's capacity to disrupt lives and infrastructure over a broad region, creating ongoing dangerous conditions even after being downgraded.

What's next

The storm is expected to continue weakening as it travels northeast
The Carolinas and Georgia could experience flooding from up to 10 inches of rainfall
Charleston, South Carolina is expecting high tide to reach 7.5 feet
Officials warn of continued flooding risk and hazardous conditions

Read full article from source: BBC