Isaias kills four, leaves about 670,000 without power after landfall
USO•At least four people died after Hurricane Isaias made landfall, and about 670,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi remained without power. The U.S. authorized an emergency exchange of up to 4 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
1. Deaths and outages
At least four people died after Isaias made landfall early Saturday, and about 670,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi were without power as the storm weakened to a post-tropical cyclone. Two deaths resulted from trees falling on homes, according to local media and authorities. Power outage tallies included about 420,000 customers in Florida, 190,000 in Alabama, 43,000 in Georgia and 17,000 in Mississippi.
2. Gulf operations and oil
Shell began redeploying personnel to its Gulf assets, while Chevron advanced efforts to redeploy staff and restore full production. About 69% of oil output and 57% of natural gas production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico remained shut, and 30% of production platforms remained evacuated. The Energy Department authorized an emergency exchange of up to 4 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address hurricane-related supply disruptions.
3. Ongoing hazards
Authorities said hazardous conditions remained, including storm surges, flash flooding, damaging winds and a risk of tornadoes. Highways, bridges and airports were reopening in Florida, but Pensacola airport remained closed to commercial flights until further notice after sustaining damage.
