GULF BREEZE, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Isaias struck the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday as a dangerous Category 2 storm, impacting communities across Alabama and the Florida Panhandle with damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, and life-threatening storm surges. The storm made landfall near Destin, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 kph), just below major hurricane status.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the urgency of the situation during a news conference, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid roads due to expected flash flooding in the region. The hurricane-force winds affected the low-lying coastal areas known for their picturesque white sand beaches, which are often filled with vacation homes and seafood establishments. Forecasters also warned of the potential for tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle extending into southern Georgia.

President Donald Trump addressed reporters from the White House, stating that the situation was being closely monitored but asserted that Isaias was "under control." As the storm approached, roads in Destin became flooded, and residents in Pensacola were warned to remain indoors due to debris obstructing roadways. Many shared images on social media showing downed trees and power lines, with videos capturing roofs being torn from buildings.

Some counties in the panhandle ceased emergency response efforts due to perilous conditions. Southern Alabama also faced flooding, with officials in Mobile reporting fallen trees and power lines. By Friday evening, over 594,000 customers across Florida and Alabama were without power.

Many residents chose to stay home to weather the storm. Tim Mowry, a Pensacola resident, described the intense winds that sounded like a train passing through his home. Although he lost power, he managed to rely on his generator. Despite standing water in his backyard and some damage to his fence, he expressed relief that the storm's impact was not as severe as anticipated.

Another major concern from Isaias was the potential storm surge, estimated to reach heights of 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters), particularly affecting areas like Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The National Hurricane Center warned that dangerous conditions would persist throughout the western panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi. In response, some counties initiated mandatory evacuations, and Mobile, Alabama, instituted a curfew through Saturday morning.

In a notable development, numerous Waffle Houses in the Florida Panhandle were closed, highlighting the storm's severity given the restaurant chain's reputation for remaining open during extreme weather events. Kelsei Frazier, a Florida native, referenced the "Waffle House Index" and noted the closures in the area, signifying a serious situation.

DeSantis cautioned that residents should be prepared for power outages, gasoline shortages, and possible closures of highways and bridges. The state's National Guard deployed approximately 5,000 soldiers and airmen to assist with emergency response efforts, while some correctional facilities evacuated inmates to ensure their safety.

As Isaias moved inland, it began to weaken, with forecasts predicting it would be downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday afternoon. However, heavy rainfall was expected, with predictions of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain, potentially causing further flooding from southern Alabama to southwestern Georgia. Isaias is recognized as the first hurricane to hit the eastern U.S. since Hurricane Milton in 2024.

The storm also impacted flight schedules, grounding most flights at panhandle airports, including the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. President Trump canceled plans to attend a football game in Tuscaloosa to avoid disrupting emergency efforts. Industry experts speculated that although Isaias was expected to miss major oil hubs along the Gulf Coast, fuel prices could see an increase if power outages affected oil refineries.

On Dauphin Island, a barrier island off the Alabama coast, Mayor Jeff Collier voiced cautious optimism, stating that he did not expect major damage, yet acknowledged the unpredictability of hurricanes and the need to prepare for worst-case scenarios.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Hurricane Simon strengthened into a Category 2 storm and was anticipated to make landfall in Mexico over the weekend. Another system, Tropical Storm Rachel, was expected to affect northern Mexico and Southern California with heavy winds and rain.