Hurricane Isaias Leaves Four Dead and Hundreds of Thousands Without Power Across the Southeast
Hurricane Isaias carved a destructive path up the US East Coast, leaving at least four people dead and hundreds of thousands without power across the Southeast. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, unleashed torrential rain, damaging winds, and flash flooding from the Carolinas to New England. According to the National Hurricane Center, flood watches remain in effect across portions of the Southeast and southern Appalachians, with forecasters warning that dangerous flooding and strong winds remain possible through the weekend. Coastal communities were also placed under storm surge warnings, and isolated tornadoes were reported in several states.nnAs the storm churned northward, it downed trees and power lines, leaving entire neighborhoods in the dark. Utility crews are working around the clock to restore electricity, but officials caution that some outages could last for days. In addition to the power outages, the storm caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges. State search and rescue resources remain available in case rapidly rising waters require emergency rescues, according to emergency management officials. The storm also disrupted fuel supplies, prompting the Energy Department to act swiftly. “With this emergency exchange, the Energy Department is acting swiftly to help maintain refinery operations, limit disruptions to fuel supplies, and ensure American families and businesses continue to have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement.nnWhile Isaias has moved offshore, its aftermath continues to pose risks. Homeowners cleaning up should be mindful of debris. If you have sidewalks, driveways, or turfgrass lawn, be sure to rake the leaves from these areas and use them elsewhere in your garden. A light scattering of leaves on grass is fine, but allowing a thick layer of leaves to blanket the turfgrass will smother lawn. Additionally, keeping leaves on sidewalks and driveways can present hazards while also making your gardening choice look messy rather than intentional. As the Southeast begins the long recovery process, residents are urged to stay informed and heed local warnings.nnMeanwhile, in the Pacific, a second hurricane has developed into a powerful Category 4 system, expected to make landfall near or just inland
Shimanta Das 
