Hurricane Isaias in Destin: power-out lessons from the Gulf Coast

WLOX reports that Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the night of October 9, 2026, and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers in Florida and Alabama.

What happened

Alabama Power said it was bringing more than 5,000 additional crews from nearly 25 states. WLOX also reports deaths in Alabama and Florida, including one person who died in a garage where a generator was running. A weather station near Santa Rosa Sound recorded a 116 mph gust.

What it means for your home

Outages can last longer than a single night, so plan for several days. Running a generator indoors or in a garage is a serious risk after a storm. Carbon monoxide has no smell, so a working alarm matters as much as the power supply.

What to do this week

• Charge your battery power station fully and test that it runs your lights and phone chargers.
• Check that every floor of your home has a working carbon monoxide alarm, and replace any battery that chirps.
• If you own a generator, keep it outside and far from doors, windows and vents.
• Write down your utility's phone number and outage website, and keep the list with your kit.
• Know your evacuation zone, and leave when local officials say to.

For safe use of fuel-burning equipment during an outage, read the carbon monoxide safety guide.