DESTIN, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said two people have died and more than 430,000 customers remain without power as state and local officials begin recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias' landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
Speaking Saturday in Okaloosa County, where the Category 2 hurricane came ashore Friday night, DeSantis said the storm caused widespread damage across Northwest Florida, primarily from falling trees and debris.
WATCH BELOW: DeSantis confirms 2 storm-related deaths in Florida
Speaking from Destin, Florida, the governor said both people died in Escambia County, highlighting ongoing safety concerns as residents cope with power outages.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said in a video posted to Facebook that one woman died after a tree fell on her home.
In a second video, Simmons said the other victim, a man, died from a generator that was not properly ventilated. The sheriff said that four other people were inside the same home and had to be hospitalized.
"What I saw was both from the structural perspective, I think our structures handled the storm very well," DeSantis said. "The problem is that the storm knocked over a lot of trees."
State officials confirmed two storm-related deaths. One person in Escambia County was killed when a tree fell on a home. Another person died after operating a generator inside a garage, highlighting ongoing safety concerns as residents cope with power outages.
Emergency crews have completed roughly 180 missions through the Florida Division of Emergency Management, according to the governor. State officials said nearly 10,000 power accounts have already been restored, but approximately 430,000 customers remained without electricity Saturday morning. About 325,000 of those outages are within Florida Power & Light's service area.
Officials said debris removal remains one of the biggest challenges slowing restoration efforts.
"The folks have been out since daylight," DeSantis said. "Some of it is that you've got to get the debris out of the way before the linemen can connect it."
The Florida Department of Transportation began clearing roads and bridges before sunrise, while the Florida Highway Patrol has completed dozens of debris-clearing missions. State officials said 85 traffic signals have been restored using generators.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport has reopened to commercial air traffic, while airports in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach remained closed Saturday but were expected to resume operations soon.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue said more than 16,000 utility workers have been mobilized to restore power throughout the region.
Perdue also warned residents that flooding risks remain even after the storm's passage. Several rivers, including the Shoal River in Okaloosa County, are still rising and are not expected to crest for several days.
"We want to make sure we keep enough resources on hand in case search and rescue is needed," Perdue said.
State leaders urged residents to avoid flooded roads and standing water, warning that even shallow water can quickly become dangerous.
Meanwhile, Attorney General James Uthmeier said a small number of price-gouging complaints had already been reported. Residents who believe businesses are overcharging for essentials such as fuel, food or other emergency supplies are encouraged to file complaints through the attorney general's office.
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DeSantis: No confirmed storm deaths in Florida from Isaias
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia also warned residents about post-storm scams, including unlicensed contractors and fraudulent roofers targeting homeowners.
Officials urged residents not to sign contracts or provide deposits before verifying a contractor's credentials. The state also plans to establish insurance assistance hubs in impacted areas within the next 48 hours to help residents file claims and meet with insurance representatives.
Businesses affected by the storm can report damage through the state's business damage assessment survey at FloridaDisaster.biz. State officials said the information will help expedite recovery assistance and assess losses.
DeSantis said recovery efforts will continue across the Panhandle, where damage stretches from the Alabama state line to the eastern Panhandle.
The governor cautioned that additional flooding could develop in the coming days as rivers continue rising but said Florida has water rescue teams and emergency assets positioned throughout the region.
"We're going to get through this," DeSantis said. "There's damage, and that's going to be difficult for people whose property was damaged, but I also feel like this is very surmountable for us if we all just work together and get the job done."
