Hurricane Isaias Prompts Southeast Emergency Preparations

Hurricane Isaias moved inland, leaving two reported fatalities in Alabama, widespread power outages and storm damage across the Southeast as states shifted from preparation to recovery. Alabama crews cleared debris and restored electricity, major roads reopened, and state and local emergency declarations were lifted. In Florida, more than 423,000 customers remained without power; Gov. Ron DeSantis briefed officials and planned visits to damaged Panhandle communities, while utility crews from Oklahoma traveled to help restore service. Forecasters warned of additional heavy rain, flash flooding and brief tornadoes in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, prompting flood watches and the positioning of rescue teams in western North Carolina. In Sandy, Utah, residents also gathered sandbags ahead of another rain threat, including homeowners still repairing flood damage from August.