Isaias weakens but flooding threat persists as hundreds of thousands grapple with power outages

(AP) — Isaias weakened overnight and was no longer considered a hurricane but flash flooding threats and the potential for tornadoes persisted Saturday as the storm moved inland across Alabama.The storm, now considered a post-tropical cyclone, made landfall Friday as a Category 2 hurricane, then quickly moved north through Alabama as its wind speeds dropped sharply to 35 mph (55 kph). But the possibility of life-threatening storm surges still loomed for parts of the Florida Panhandle, along with a potential for 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend over the weekend.Early Saturday, Isaias was about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south-southwest of Montgomery, Alabama and nearly 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Birmingham, Alabama, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph), the NHC said Saturday. It is expected to move into the Tennessee Valley later Saturday and Sunday.All tropical storm and storm surge warnings have been discontinued.

But forecasters warned that conditions could stir up tornadoes across parts of the Florida Panhandle and into Georgia and the Carolinas.Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Hurricane-force winds lashed the Gulf shoreline in the low-lying coastal area known for powdery white-sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars, and seafood shacks.“The storm is here. Don’t be getting out on the roads,” Florida Gov.

Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Friday.Roads in Destin were flooded, while in nearby Pensacola, police warned residents to stay off the streets because of debris across roadways. While the extent of the damage was not immediately known, many area residents posted pictures online of downed trees and power lines, and one social media video showed a roof being ripped off an inn in Pensacola.Strong hurricane winds blew the roof off a hotel in Pensacola and the city's mayor, D.C. Reeves, said on his Facebook page that the airport “took some damage.” Some power was out downtown, he said, and there were trees and power lines down in some areas.Some Panhandle counties temporarily suspended emergency response Friday night because of dangerous conditions.Parts of southern Alabama also were flooded, with officials in Mobile reporting downed trees and po…

Isaias weakened to a post-tropical cyclone early Saturday morning after plowing through the Panhandle overnight.