Tropical Storm Ophelia Continues its Path up the East Coast Following Impact on North Carolina

Tropical Storm Ophelia Impacts and Updates

Flooding, Power Outages, and Strong Winds Along the East Coast

As Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, it brought heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding beyond its center. The storm caused power outages for thousands of homes and businesses, with around 24,000 still without power. Coastal areas in North Carolina experienced storm surge flooding, leading to road closures. Emergency declarations were issued in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.

Power Outages and Flooding

According to PowerOutage.us, around 70,000 homes and businesses lost power across North Carolina and Virginia. Despite efforts to restore power, 24,000 remain in the dark. Additionally, storm surge flooding of more than 3 feet affected coastal North Carolina, resulting in roadways getting covered with water.

Rescues and MLB Game Postponements

A boat with five people aboard was rescued in rough waters near Cape Lookout, North Carolina. In response to the storm, two MLB games, Braves-Nationals in Washington, DC, and Diamondbacks-Yankees in New York, have been postponed.

Ophelia’s Path and Weakening

Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to weaken as it moves across southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula. The storm’s rain shield has affected a large area, including Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York.

Coastal Flood Warning and Road Closures

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Atlantic City, New Jersey. Flooding closed several roads in the area. Coastal North Carolina experienced the storm’s impact earlier, with storm surge flooding and winds gusting to 73 mph at Cape Lookout.

Rescue Operations and Evacuations

Five people, including three children, were rescued from a sailing vessel off Cape Lookout due to treacherous conditions. In Washington, North Carolina, storm surge caused flooding, prompting warnings to avoid the downtown area. New Bern, North Carolina, experienced flooded roads and rising water levels in the downtown area.

Warnings and Threats

Tropical Storm Ophelia will bring several key threats throughout the weekend:

Heavy Rainfall

Eastern North Carolina, southeast Virginia, and parts of the mid-Atlantic could see significant rainfall, ranging from 2 to 5 inches. Southern New York through southern New England may receive 1 to 3 inches of rain.

Coastal Threats

Coastal areas, particularly Hatteras Inlet in North Carolina and rivers along Chesapeake Bay, are at risk of storm surge flooding of up to 4 feet. Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along the East Coast.

Strong and Gusty Winds

Tropical storm conditions will continue to impact parts of the coast, with strong and gusty winds affecting North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.

Severe Weather

The coastal mid-Atlantic and North Carolina could experience tornadoes as a result of Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-23 21:35:00