Hurricane Isaias barreled ashore near Destin Friday night as a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds, killing at least four people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands across Florida’s Panhandle and Alabama. Two of the deaths were in the Panhandle. One man in Escambia County was killed when a tree fell on his home, and another man died from generator fumes inside his garage. Alabama officials confirmed one death in Birmingham and one in Barbour County as the storm tracked north.
The recovery is already in motion. More than 140 Red Cross volunteers have deployed along the Gulf Coast, and over 5,000 utility crews from nearly 25 states are heading to the region to restore power. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has rescinded the evacuation order for nonresidents in parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties, though flooding and high surf threats continue across much of the Southeast.
Two of those deaths were preventable, and that’s the part Suncoast listeners should take seriously. Generators must never run inside a home, garage, or any enclosed space, no matter how briefly. Carbon monoxide has no smell and builds fast. If you have a generator or know someone who does, take five minutes this week to double-check how it’s set up. Have you checked your hurricane kit since the season started? Tell us in the comments what’s still on your list.
