FLORIDA.- The passage of Hurricane Isaías through the southeastern United States left at least four dead, homes and buildings damaged, and more than 850,000 users without electricity, while authorities maintain alerts for floods and possible tornadoes, despite the fact that the system lost strength and was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.
Two people died in Escambia County, Florida, and two others in Alabama, authorities reported this Saturday. In the latter state, Governor Kay Ivey lamented the deaths and noted that strong winds downed trees, caused power outages and caused property damage.
In Birmingham, Alabama, one of the victims was reported after a tree fell on a home. In Escambia, Florida, another person died after being trapped under a tree that also fell on a home, according to Melony Peterson, spokeswoman for the county Sheriff’s Office.
A second victim was found dead in a closed garage where a generator was running. Four members of his family, ages 72, 25, 5 and 4, were taken to a hospital, although their lives were not in danger, Peterson told CNN.
Damage to homes and buildings
The strong winds caused destruction in different locations in Florida. In downtown Pensacola, gusts reached 164 kilometers per hour, toppling trees and leaving streetlights damaged and streets blocked by debris, according to the specialized media AccuWeather.
The images released after the system passed also showed damage to the roof of a hotel in Florida. In Milton, the wind tore the roof off an apartment complex, while several communities reported material damage.
Isaías made landfall in Florida as a Category 2 hurricane, with winds of up to 105 miles per hour (169 kilometers per hour), according to the information provided. Later, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded it to a post-tropical cyclone.
More than 850,000 users without electricity
The impact of the storm left some 853,000 users without power supply in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, the latter noted as the state most affected by the strong winds.
Authorities warned that the interruptions could be prolonged and affect infrastructure, while emergency teams work to address the damage and restore services.
Florida declared a state of emergency in 27 counties and mobilized about 5,000 members of the National Guard to support response efforts. In addition, several localities ordered evacuations in vulnerable areas due to the risk of flooding.
Flood and tornado warnings persist
Although Isaías lost strength as he advanced inland, authorities warned that the danger was not over. The NHC warned of the risk of coastal and flash flooding, as well as possible tornadoes in parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
The agency also warned of a potentially deadly storm surge, with water levels rising between 1.5 and 2.7 meters in some stretches of the coast. Rain accumulations could reach 38 centimeters in localized areas.
Heavy rainfall and flooding could spread over the weekend to other areas of the American Southeast and even the Midwest, according to forecasts cited in the material.
The authorities continue to respond to the damage and possible new effects, while residents of exposed areas remain under weather warnings.
