Isaias weakens to post-tropical cyclone after Florida landfall, NHC says

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Debris is seen in an intersection as wind and rain from Hurricane Isaias pass through the area on October 09, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesHurricane Isaias weakened to a post-tropical cyclone on Saturday after rapidly losing wind speed after hitting the Florida coast as a Category 2 hurricane, the first of the 2026 Atlantic season, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.The post-tropical cyclone, crossing over southern Alabama after making landfall earlier near Destin, Florida, is about 55 miles (89 km) south-southwest of Montgomery, Alabama, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kmh), the agency added.Isaias is expected to continue weakening but produce gusty winds well inland before weakening below gale force later on Saturday, the NHC said.The center warned of possible storm surges, urban and river flooding, and flash floods across the region, with considerable impacts likely across much of southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and southwest Georgia.Tornado risk will also persist overnight across the Florida Panhandle and north Florida into southern Georgia, while the tornado threat will continue Saturday across parts of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and the Carolinas, the agency said.Alabama's emergency management agency said the hurricane has downed trees and power lines, making travel hazardous in Houston County, which is under a flash flood warning."Due to the impacts of Hurricane Isaias, all Houston County roads are closed until further notice," it posted on X. "These road closures will remain in effect until conditions are deemed safe for travel."Asked about hurricane preparations, President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House, "We're watching it very closely, the hurricane," adding that it was "under control."More than 430,000 people in Florida and nearly 297,000 in Alabama lost power as the storm hit shore, according to power outage tracking firm PowerOutage.us."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 north of the state.