India, Oct. 10 -- Hurricane Isaias struck the US Gulf Coast on Friday as a powerful Category 2 storm, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous storm surges to parts of Alabama and Florida's Panhandle.

The first hurricane of the Atlantic season made landfall near Destin, Florida, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. At the time, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 kph). It weakened to just below major hurricane strength before reaching the coast. By early Saturday, its winds had slowed further, and it was no longer classified as a hurricane.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged people to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the storm moved through the region. "The st...