Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in Florida, Canadian impacts possible

Hurricane Isaias made landfall on the Florida Panhandle on Friday evening with damaging winds, flooding rains, and isolated tornadoes.

The eye of the hurricane pushed ashore near Destin, Florida around 9:30 p.m. EDT on Friday with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h, making it a Category 2 storm. A wind gust of 187 km/h was reported at Santa Rosa Sound, Florida, as the eyewall moved through the region.

DON'T MISS: Canada's Winter Sneak Peek: El Niño puts record warmth in play

Widespread watches and warnings remain in effect throughout the southeastern U.S. as the storm pushes inland through the weekend.

High winds will cause tree damage and power outages in the warned areas. Life-threatening storm surge flooding could reach 1-2+ metres above ground level from Dauphin Island, Alabama, east toward Panama City, Florida.

RELATED: The curse of storm nine: Why so many "I" hurricanes are monsters

Rainfall totals of 100+ mm have already fallen across the Florida Panhandle. Some areas will likely see 200+ mm of rain by the end of the storm this weekend. Flash flooding is already occurring in the hardest-hit areas.

A risk for tornadoes will continue across the Southeast states through Sunday. The greatest threat will exist along and to the east of the storm's track.

Storms effects could reach Ontario, Quebec

While its direct impacts are concentrated on the Gulf Coast, the remnants of Isaias could extend far north, potentially bringing rainfall to Ontario over Thanksgiving weekend.

A lack of high pressure weather systems in the region could allow Isaias' remnants to track towards the Great Lakes by early Sunday.

Parts of southern Ontario might experience rain bands through Sunday. The rain may also clip the Ottawa region and Quebec's Eastern Townships. However, a front to the north will act a block to the stormy system and prevent any tropical moisture from heading farther north.

The west half of southern Ontario is expected to stay in the dry section through Sunday, but folks from the Golden Horseshoe all the way to Windsor could see 5-10 mm of rainfall. Locally higher amounts could reach 10-20 mm for some areas. Folks may also hear a few rumbles of thunder throughout the day.