Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin Friday night as a Category 2 storm with 105 mile per hour winds, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama. Flooded roads, downed trees, and storm surge have made travel dangerous, and forecasters warn that flooding and possible tornadoes could continue across the Southeast through the weekend. It’s the fourth named storm to hit the U.S. this season, and the first to reach hurricane strength.
Recovery is already ramping up. More than 5,000 utility crews from nearly 25 states are assisting Alabama Power, and over 140 Red Cross volunteers have deployed along the Gulf Coast to run shelters and deliver supplies. If you have family or friends in the affected areas, now is a good time to reach out and make sure they’re safe.
For those of us here on the Suncoast, this is a reminder that hurricane season runs through November, and storms can strengthen fast in the Gulf. Take a few minutes this week to restock your kit, review your evacuation zone, and snap photos of your home for insurance purposes. Have you checked your hurricane supplies yet this season? Let us know on our Facebook page.
