CNN
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A strengthening storm that battered Florida this weekend with heavy rain and powerful winds is moving toward the East Coast, threatening flooding, dangerous surf, power outages and travel disruptions.
More than 2 million people are at risk of severe thunderstorms Sunday with gusty winds across parts of South Carolina to New England. Storm Prediction Center.
A flash flood emergency has been issued in eastern Georgetown County, South Carolina, south of Myrtle Beach, where water rescue efforts are ongoing, the National Weather Service said. Between 4.5 and 7 inches of rain has fallen, with heavy rain expected to continue Sunday, the weather service said.
Strong winds created waves as high as 9.86 feet in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, on Sunday. It is the fourth-highest tide on record in the region and tops the highest tide for a non-tropical system. The weather service said.
“Widespread dangerous flooding continues,” the agency warned.
A A Cyclone Watch has been issued for eastern North Carolina, the weather service said. The watch — which covers more than 1 million people in Wilmington, New Bern and the Outer Banks — will remain in effect until Sunday at 8 p.m. “Scattered winds up to 65 mph are possible,” the weather service said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
About 11,000 customers were without power in North and South Carolina PowerOutage.us.
WMBF via WRAL
Flooding after a storm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sunday, December 17.
After moving through Florida, the storm hugged the East Coast on Sunday and extended its impacts from Georgia to the Northeast. Heavy rain is expected in parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey north of South Carolina.
The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings for parts of southern Connecticut, southeastern New York and Boston on Sunday, warning of the possibility of downed trees and power lines.
Travel in those areas will be difficult, the weather service says, “If possible, stay on the lower level of your home during the storm and avoid windows. Be careful if you must drive.
Very heavy rain is expected in Carolinas and coastal Georgia The storm is getting stronger and is starting to make landfall. Rain will begin in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Sunday afternoon, but the heaviest rain will develop late Sunday.
Long periods of steady rain can cause flooding in urban areas and areas with poor drainage.
Stronger winds will affect coastal southeast to mid-Atlantic areas on Sunday and coastal northeasterly overnight. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible in coastal areas.
A combination of strong winds and heavy rain could slow travel across part of the region, especially along the busy I-95 corridor.
Strong winds and low visibility may delay some flights. More than 4,100 flights into or out of US airports were delayed and at least 115 canceled on Sunday, according to the watchdog website. FlightAware.com. John F. in New York. Kennedy International Airport reported wind-related ground delays. Federal Aviation Administration website.
The storm battered the region as it battered much of Florida.
Jeffrey Wu/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press
Local resident Valerie Childress walks through flooding in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Here’s a timeline of the storm’s path, according to the Weather Forecast Center:
- On Sunday, the center is expected to move toward the southeastern U.S. coast, bringing heavy rain across the coastal plains and potentially damaging winds.
- By Sunday night, heavy rain will taper off in the Southeast, but quickly spread across the Mid-Atlantic states.
- The storm center will continue to track across New England on Monday as it expands its reach Throughout much of the eastern United States.
The storm will reach its peak on Monday, when it will disrupt much of the Northeast. It is forecast to stay close to the northeast coast at the moment – but could move further off the coast.
Regardless of its exact track, the storm will bring nor’easter-like impacts to the coastal Northeast on Monday — minus the snow.
“Strong winds may knock down some tree limbs, resulting in localized power outages. Outdoor holiday decorations may be damaged or blown away,” he said. National Weather Service office for the Philadelphia area Published in X.
