'The storm is here - buckle down': Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in US
Hurricane Isaias has made landfall in the US, bringing winds of more than 100mph and the risk of floods, storm surges and tornadoes. <p>The category 2 storm reached land near Destin in <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/florida-5687/1" target="_self">Florida</a></strong> on Friday.</p><p>More than 594,000 homes and businesses in Florida and <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/alabama-5713/1" target="_self">Alabama</a></strong> were without power, according to poweroutage.com.</p><widget id="25"></widget> <widget id="13"></widget><p>Winds of 105 mph have been recorded - with warnings of a tornado threat across parts of Alabama, Georgia, the Florida Panhandle and the Carolinas.</p><p>Roads in Destin were flooded, while in nearby Pensacola, police warned residents to stay off the streets because of debris across roads.</p><p>Florida's National Guard deployed about 5,000 soldiers and air force members to help with the response.</p><p>Search and rescue teams were on high alert and some prisons evacuated inmates.</p> <widget id="24"></widget> <widget id="14"></widget> <widget id="15"></widget><p>Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents to expect power outages, fuel shortages and the closure of bridges and highways.</p><p>"The storm is here. Buckle down at this point. Don't be getting out on the roads," he said.</p><p>Several counties announced mandatory evacuations while the city of Mobile, Alabama, imposed a curfew from Friday evening until Saturday.</p> <widget id="16"></widget> <widget id="22"></widget><p>Flights out of several airports, including all flights into and out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, were grounded due to the weather.</p><p>Donald Trump said the government was watching the hurricane's progress closely and preparations were "under control".</p><p>The US president scrapped his plans to attend Saturday's football game between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as the hurricane loomed.</p> <widget id="17"></widget> <widget id="21"></widget><p>As it moved inland, Isaias was later downgraded to Category 1 hurricane, which covers storms with winds of 74 to 95 mph.</p><p>Heavy rain and potential flooding are forecast as it moves inland.</p><p><strong>Read more from Sky News:</strong><br /><strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/trump-says-russia-will-immediately-supply-300-000-tons-of-diesel-with-millions-more-to-follow-13597040" target="_self">Trump strikes diesel deal with Putin</a><br /><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/firing-squad-execution-of-mass-killer-nidal-hasan-to-be-livestreamed-pentagon-says-13596660" target="_self">Execution to be livestreamed</a></strong></p> <widget id="23"></widget><p>Elsewhere, Hurricane Simon became a Category 2 storm on Friday and is expected to strengthen further before making landfall in Mexico this weekend.</p><p>Tropical Storm Rachel is also expected to bring heavy winds and rain to northern Mexico and Southern California over the weekend.</p>