Isaias Recovery Continues as More Than 150,000 Remain Without Power

Mother Nature is lending a hand in the cleanup efforts across the southeastern U.S. after a Category 2 hurricane slammed into the Florida Panhandle. Here is a look at what you can expect if you are cleaning up after this storm.

Thousands Still Without Power in the South - Will Weather Cooperate with Restoration?

A large portion of the Gulf Coast, the Florida Panhandle, and the Southeast is cleaning up after Hurricane Isaias came ashore near Destin, Florida, packing winds of 105 mph. The high winds, flooding rainfall, and storm surge created a mess as the storm made its way to the north, impacting the Southeast, the southern Appalachians, and the mid-Atlantic throughout the weekend.

Isaias is now a mere tropical wind and rainstorm as it begins to move offshore. The good news for those putting life back together is that the weather is forecast to be favorable in the coming days.

The Florida Gulf Coast experienced the worst impacts from what was the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. A top wind gust of 117 mph was notched near Oriole Beach. Gusty conditions knocked out power to almost a million customers during the peak of the high winds. As of Monday afternoon, there were still roughly 155,000 customers without power in Florida and Alabama.

The heavy rain associated with this storm has also left a mess. The highest rainfall belonged to a gauge in Bellwood, Alabama, coming in at 12.97 inches. Forecasters are warning that the floodwaters could be slow to recede in the hardest-hit areas. While no rain is expected in the near future, it takes time for the water levels to drop. This slow process will inevitably lead to prolonged road closures, especially in low-lying areas. The proliferation of downed trees and power lines is also making it challenging for repair crews to reach some areas.