Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida, causing significant damage and power outages across the state. According to Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, the storm hit "like a freight train," leaving over 430,000 people without power.
What happened
The storm made landfall over Florida's Panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds that have since decreased to 35 mph, resulting in its downgrading to a post-tropical cyclone. Lt. Gov. Collins reported that approximately 900,000 people had evacuated the area before the storm hit, and he warned those who remained to "hunker down, stay safe" and avoid putting first responders at risk.
Preliminary reports indicate that while there is no catastrophic damage, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Collins noted that the main issues so far have been power outages and radio damage, with roughly 436,000 Floridians without power as of Saturday morning. The state had prepared for the storm, with over 5,000 National Guard on standby and 6,000 utility vehicles and personnel ready to assist with power outages.
Collins emphasized the importance of caution, even after the storm has passed, warning people to avoid exposed water, power lines, and other hazards. He also commended the state's leadership, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, for their preparation and response efforts, saying "we've led from the front" and prioritized response to ensure the state is "on top of this."
