Isaias makes landfall – half a million without power
Hurricane Isaias has roared into Florida.
Over half a million households are without power.
And in one of the hardest-hit areas, nearly 250 millimeters of rain fell in just three hours.
Hurricane Isaias has made landfall near Destin, Florida.
It reached land as a Category 2 hurricane but has since weakened further to Category 1.
Despite this, the storm remains powerful. A weather station in Walton County, Florida, recorded a staggering 246 millimeters of rain in just three hours on Friday evening.
CNN reports flying debris, rising water levels, and more than half a million households in Florida and Alabama without power.
The hurricane is expected to weaken further overnight, but strong wind gusts and rain are expected to continue inland on Saturday. There is also a risk of tornadoes and flooding in parts of Florida and southern Georgia.
Residents who have not evacuated have been urged to stay indoors. Several flights have also been grounded in the affected areas.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the administration is monitoring the hurricane "very closely."
"We are monitoring the hurricane very closely. We think we have the situation under control, but we are watching developments very, very closely, especially in Alabama," Trump told reporters on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, another powerful hurricane is heading toward the coast of Mexico on Saturday, according to the AP. Hurricane Simon has recently been upgraded to a Category 4 storm, with wind speeds of up to 225 kilometers per hour. It is now classified as a major hurricane.
It is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to southwestern Mexico—ranging from 25 to 50 centimeters, and up to 76 centimeters in some areas—according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Authorities are warning residents and urging them to prepare immediately. Meteorologists had previously warned that Simon could cause life-threatening flooding and landslides.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar