Hurricane Isaias Hits Florida, US, Causing Damage and Widespread Power Outages

New York, Oct 10 (KUNA) -- Hurricane Isaias made landfall on the U.S. state of Florida as a Category 2 storm, bringing fierce winds and heavy rains that caused material damage and widespread power outages before weakening and transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved northward toward Alabama. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a statement Friday evening that the hurricane made landfall near the city of Destin in northwestern Florida at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with winds reaching 165 kilometers per hour. In its latest bulletin issued early Saturday, the center reported that Isaias had become a post-tropical cyclone while passing over southern Alabama, after its wind speeds dropped to around 100 kilometers per hour, warning of continued risks of flash flooding and strong winds as its effects extended into inland areas. In this context, U.S. media reports stated that the fierce winds caused trees to fall, damaged building roofs, and cut off electricity to more than 660,000 customers in the affected areas of the southeastern United States. Local authorities declared states of emergency in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, and took measures to evacuate residents from coastal areas most at risk, while severe weather conditions led to road closures and disruptions to some emergency services in the affected regions. (End) E.S.T. / T.M.A.