Isaias moves north as Rachel batters Southern California
Residents in Florida’s Panhandle and southern Alabama began clearing up after Isaias passed through. The storm’s remnants brought flood threats to the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic, while Rachel’s large waves struck Southern California’s coast.
At least four deaths were connected to Isaias, which made landfall near Destin, Florida, on Friday as a Category 2 hurricane. Reported causes included falling trees, generator fumes and a vehicle crash involving a downed tree.
Heavy rain flooded rivers in western North Carolina, where officials warned of possible flash and urban flooding. Rescuers helped two campers and their dog escape rising water, and freed a woman from a car near Morganton. McDowell County crews also handled landslides, flooded roads and voluntary evacuations; no injuries or deaths were reported there.
Isaias damaged buildings in the Florida Panhandle, including a hotel roof in Pensacola and structures in Destin and Panama City Beach. The airport in Pensacola also sustained damage, according to the city’s mayor.
Flooding remained possible as rivers rose, even as rainfall eased in western North Carolina. Officials also warned of possible tornadoes in parts of Virginia and North Carolina, alongside dangerous surf and rip currents on Gulf and southeastern Atlantic coasts.
Key points
- Isaias left at least four people dead and caused damage in Florida and Alabama.
- Heavy rain and rising rivers threatened communities in western North Carolina.
- Rachel’s large waves battered Southern California as coastal flooding and dangerous surf were reported.