Hurricane Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 storm on Florida's Gulf Coast Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction and at least four confirmed fatalities before weakening to a post-tropical cyclone early Saturday.

The storm, packing winds up to 105 mph, initially hit near Destin, Florida, in the Panhandle at 8:30 p.m. CT. As it moved north, it weakened to a Category 1 storm and then transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone.

Officials confirmed four deaths attributed to the storm, with two fatalities occurring in Florida and two in Alabama. In Florida, at least two storm-related deaths were reported in Escambia County. Widespread power outages affected over 438,000 customers by Saturday night, with the majority in Florida, which reported over 345,000 without power. Alabama experienced roughly 82,000 outages, and Georgia had over 10,000.

The remnants of Isaias are expected to continue impacting the Southeast with heavy rain and strong wind gusts. A Level 3 of 4 risk for flash flooding is in place for parts of northeastern Georgia and the western Carolinas, including areas like Athens and Gainesville in Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina. Wind advisories remain in effect across much of the region.

Ahead of the storm's arrival, many low-lying and coastal areas were under evacuation orders. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had urged residents to prepare for the hurricane's impact. Storm surge warnings were also issued along the coast, with forecasts predicting surges of up to 9 feet in some areas.

The storm's path is projected to bring significant rainfall and potential flash flooding to areas stretching from northern Florida up through Virginia, with Flood Watches posted for this entire region. The strongest winds are anticipated in the higher elevations of the central Appalachians, where gusts could reach up to 60 mph.

As communities begin to assess the damage, the focus shifts to recovery efforts and managing the lingering threats of heavy rain and strong winds. The extensive power outages highlight the storm's significant impact on infrastructure across multiple states.

While the hurricane designation has been lifted, the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor the system's remnants, emphasizing the ongoing risks of severe weather as it moves inland. The transition to a post-tropical cyclone means the storm is no longer characterized by a warm core and may bring a mix of rain and wind without the distinct eye structure of a hurricane.