WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – The remnants of Hurricane Isaias continue to affect West Virginia on Sunday, October 11, bringing heavy rainfall, gusty winds and the potential for flooding after moving into the state Saturday. The storm previously claimed at least four lives in the southeastern United States.
The storm made landfall near Destin, Florida, Friday night as a Category 2 hurricane, producing winds of approximately 105 mph. It caused widespread damage across Florida, Alabama and Georgia, including downed trees, damaged buildings and extensive power outages.
As of early Sunday, nearly 396,000 customers in Florida and southern Alabama remained without electricity, according to The Associated Press.
The storm has since weakened into a post-tropical cyclone but continues moving northeast toward the Appalachian Mountains and Mid-Atlantic states.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the system was moving northeast at approximately 23 mph early Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 25 mph.
Although the storm has lost much of its strength, forecasters warn that heavy rainfall remains a concern, particularly in mountainous areas where runoff can cause streams and creeks to rise rapidly.
The National Hurricane Center warned Sunday that flash flooding remained a threat along the Blue Ridge Mountains as the remnants continued moving northeast.
In West Virginia, residents could experience periods of heavy rain as moisture associated with the system moves through the region. Low-lying areas, small streams and locations with poor drainage are particularly vulnerable during periods of excessive rainfall.
At least four deaths have been attributed to the hurricane in Florida and Alabama. Authorities reported fatalities involving falling trees and carbon monoxide poisoning associated with generator use.
The hurricane initially left hundreds of thousands of customers without electricity, prompting emergency response efforts and widespread restoration work across the Gulf Coast.
Federal emergency declarations have been approved for Florida, Alabama and Georgia to assist with recovery efforts.
The National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory on Isaias early Sunday, with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center continuing to monitor the system’s flooding threat.
West Virginia residents are encouraged to monitor local forecasts and weather alerts as the remnants move through the region.
