Hurricane Isaias makes landfall near Destin, Florida
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin in Florida’s western Panhandle on Friday evening as a Category 2 storm, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the northern Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center said flash flooding and hurricane conditions were spreading inland.
Isaias had winds of roughly 105 mph around landfall, according to reports citing federal forecasters. It weakened to Category 1 after moving ashore and, CBS News reported, became a post-tropical cyclone within hours.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered in coastal areas of Florida and Alabama, while Florida, Alabama and Georgia declared states of emergency. Flights at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport were canceled, schools and businesses closed, and officials urged residents to remain off roads and move to higher ground where necessary. Tornado watches were also issued for parts of Florida and southern Georgia. …