Hurricane Isaias Hits Florida Two Years After Milton
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida’s Panhandle, mirroring Hurricane Milton’s path exactly two years later.
2 min read
Two years to the day and the same hour, Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida’s Panhandle, bringing winds over 100 mph and significant damage. The Category 2 storm struck near Deston, Florida at 8:30 p.m. CT, mirroring the exact timing of Hurricane Milton’s landfall in 2021, according to NOAA data.
Storm Path and Impact
Isaias rapidly weakened over Alabama and transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone, with the NHC reporting its final advisory on Saturday morning. The storm is expected to move northward and gradually weaken as it travels through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys.
Although reports of the aftermath were slow to come in, social media provided dramatic visuals from storm chasers and citizen videographers. One video showed the roof of the Relax and Rest Inn in Pensacola, while another captured the rapid transition from rough seas to raging winds in Fort Hamilton Beach.
Chasers and Correspondents
Reed Timmer, a fearless hurricane and tornado chaser with a doctorate in meteorology, shared his dramatic report from the heart of the storm. Network correspondents also demonstrated their weather mettle, with some choosing to report in the worst conditions while educating viewers on how to stay safe in a hurricane.
Officials and Damage Reports
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins predicted extensive damage, calling the storm’s impact like a freight train. He noted that around 900,000 residents had evacuated, though preliminary reports suggested no catastrophic damage to the Sunshine State.
About 429,773 Floridians were without power as of 7 a.m. Saturday, according to PowerOutage.US. Wind speeds reached 118 mph in the Panhandle, with gusts now around 30 mph in the area stretching from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Gainesville, Georgia.
Future Outlook
The NHC predicted the Atlantic basin will remain calm for the rest of the week. As the storm moves north, its impact is expected to diminish, though the full extent of damage may take time to assess.
Source: Breitbart
