November 7, 2024

Tropical Storm Isaias spawns flooding and tornadoes up East Coast

Axios #Axios

Tropical Storm Isaias is moving across eastern Maryland and is expected to bring strong winds and hurricane force gusts along the mid-Atlantic coast through Tuesday afternoon, per the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The latest: Tornadoes are forecast to spread northward along the coast, the NHC said in a 11 a.m. update. Tornadoes are possible across northern New Jersey and southern New England by Tuesday afternoon.

What to expect: Power outages and downed trees are expected, with flash flooding along the East Coast from heavy rainfall, the NHC said.

The big picture: Isaias weakened to a tropical storm early Tuesday after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in southern North Carolina on Monday night.

  • Old Town Alexandria, a Washington, D.C. suburb, saw flooding as the storm moved through southeastern Virginia.
  • Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., Mayor Debbie Smith told WECT News the eye of the storm triggered “a series of fires at homes” and “a lot of flooding.” Fire authorities said they were responding to “multiple structure fires in the area.”
  • Isaias lashed the Bahamas and parts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Friday.
  • The coronavirus pandemic has complicated authorities’ response to the storm.

  • North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) tweeted Monday, “Shelters will screen people for coronavirus symptoms. If someone has COVID-19 or shows symptoms, they will be directed to a sheltering option for isolation or medical attention. Shelters will have PPE and will honor social distancing.”
  • North Carolina evacuations began Saturday evening in Holden and Ocean Isle beaches and Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
  • South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) tweeted Saturday, “Evacuations are unnecessary, but please take personal precautions.”
  • Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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