Trump says Hurricane Isaias 'under control,' downgraded to cyclone as it moves over Alabama

The hurricane has produced high winds, downed power lines, and caused travel delays, including the closure of all roads through Houston county, Alabama.

Alabama's Emergency Management Agency (EMA) issued a warning to residents after category 3 hurricane Isaias made landfall on Thursday evening.

The hurricane quickly weakened to a Category 1 storm on Friday, rapidly losing wind speed after hitting the Florida coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said while warning of storm surges and snapped power lines as it moves through the Deep South.

US President Donald Trump told reporters that hurricane preparation were "under control," adding that "We are watching it very closely."

The hurricane has produced high winds, downed power lines, and caused travel delays, including the closure of all roads through Houston county, Alabama.

"Widespread damage and power outages are likely as this system passes through the state. All actions to protect property should have already been completed for the southern half of Alabama and should be completed across the northern half by 10 pm," Alabama's EMA warned.

Additionally, the Florida division of the EMA extended a tornado watch for parts of North Florida until Saturday morning.

National Hurrican Center warns of potential for flooding

The hurricane, crossing the western Florida Panhandle after making landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm, was about 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Panama City, Florida, packing maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph), the NHC said in an advisory.

The center warned of possible storm surges, urban and river flooding and flash floods across the region, with considerable impacts likely across much of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle into southwest Georgia.

Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, is expected to continue weakening but produce gusty winds well inland through Saturday even after it becomes post-tropical, the NHC said.

Isaias is expected to cross Alabama and go into the Tennessee Valley over the weekend, the NHC said.

More than 412,000 people in Florida and nearly 243,000 in Alabama lost power as the storm hit shore, according to power outage tracking firm PowerOutage.us.

"Emergency declarations have been approved in Florida and Alabama to ensure federal resources are available to respond to Isaias," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on X.

Florida's emergency services urged residents to shelter in place and watch for hurricane conditions across the north of the state.

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