Rainy weather hit the East Coast on Sunday, causing flooding and deadly power outages in New Jersey after Tropical Storm Ophelia struck North Carolina.
In the Tri-State area, people will face the brunt of persistent miserable weather for much of Sunday as the post-tropical storm passes. The risk of coastal flooding and heavy, persistent rain remains – from DC to NYC on Sunday.
Just after 6:20 a.m. yesterday, the National Hurricane Center reported that the storm made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The storm had maximum winds of 70 mph and sustained winds of 61 mph.
A tropical storm warning has been issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. In North Carolina, a hurricane warning was also in effect for the area north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet.
In North Carolina, roads and streets were under water and cars were unable to pass through the floodwaters. Yesterday, the National Hurricane Center reported that the storm made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, shortly after 6:20 a.m. The storm had maximum winds of 70 mph and sustained winds of 61 mph
Views of Tropical Storm Ophelia from Greenville and Washington, North Carolina
Winds and flooding caused disruptions in New Jersey today, and waves as high as 10 feet were recorded near the coast.
At the Cleveland Park subway station in Washington, D.C., officials are expecting flooding and have flooded the surrounding area and other flood-prone stations with sandbags.
New York City residents woke up to torrential rain and strong winds on Sunday. The drizzly weather is expected to continue into the start of the new week as the city suffers the final effects of Ophelia.
Central Park’s Global Citizen Festival went ahead despite the wet weather on Saturday night – while festival-goers in the Big Apple braved the tide to see big names like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lauryn Hill.
National Hurricane Center hurricane specialist Philippe Papin said Sunday: “Tropical storm-force winds were observed, but are gradually weakening as the system moves further inland.”
A tropical storm warning has been issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. In North Carolina, a hurricane warning was also in effect for the area north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet
“However, there is a significant risk of flooding over the next 12 to 24 hours for much of eastern North Carolina into southern Virginia.”
Zach Iscol, New York City’s emergency management commissioner, said: “New Yorkers should take precautions regarding the forecast of strong winds and rain during our first weekend of fall.”
“This weekend’s weather is also a reminder that we are still in the middle of Atlantic hurricane season and it is a good time to review your preparedness plan for your home or business, especially if you are in flood-prone areas life.”
Footage showed the destruction caused in Greenville and Washington, North Carolina, on Sunday morning after the storm brought heavy rain and major flooding.
Roads and streets were under water and cars could not pass through the floodwaters.
High winds created dangerous tides at Cape Henlopen State Park as Tropical Storm Ophelia hit the Delaware coast
Central Park’s Global Citizen Festival went ahead despite the wet weather on Saturday night – while festival-goers in the Big Apple braved the tide to see big names like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lauryn Hill
At the Cleveland Park subway station in Washington, DC, officials are expecting flooding and have flooded the surrounding area and other flood-prone stations with sandbags
Strong tides at Seaside Park in New Jersey
Rescue teams made their way through the water in small boats to bring people trapped in cars and houses to safety.
As of Sunday morning, 2,600 people were without power in North Carolina and 5,800 people were without power in New Jersey.
More than 52,000 people in North Carolina and Virginia were without power during Saturday’s severe flooding – but the majority have now had power restored.
The National Hurricane Center said in a morning update that there will be gradual weakening over the next 48 hours as the low center slowly shifts offshore.
Water levels remain elevated in parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers – but are expected to gradually recede by today, experts said.
Parts of the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England will see up to three inches of rain throughout Sunday.
According to the NHC: “This rainfall may produce localized flash flooding, urban and small stream flooding across portions of the Mid-Atlantic region into southern New England.”
“Isolated river flooding is possible in areas of heavier rainfall.”
People wade onto Read Avenue in Dewey Beach as Tropical Storm Ophelia hits the Delaware coast late Saturday afternoon
The National Hurricane Center said the storm had maximum winds of 70 mph and sustained winds of 61 mph Saturday
Flooding along East Bay Ave in Stafford, New Jersey in the Mud City neighborhood
The Tidal Basin in Washington, DC overflows its banks with rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia
People in raincoats walk on the street on a rainy day in New York
“The waves caused by Ophelia will continue to impact much of the East Coast of the United States today.”
“These waves are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”
On Saturday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued his state’s emergency declaration with the aim of accelerating preparations and contributing to a rapid response.
“The path of the storm was difficult to predict and we want to ensure farmers, first responders and utility personnel have the tools they need to prepare for severe weather,” the governor said.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s order was aimed at facilitating response and recovery efforts.
“We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest expected impacts, have the resources they need to respond to and recover from the impacts of this storm,” Youngkin noted.
On September 22, waves broke on the jetty at Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as Tropical Storm Ophelia approached the area
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement Friday evening that the state is expecting an extended period of strong winds, heavy rainfall and increased tides.
In Annapolis, Maryland’s capital, water taxi driver Scott Bierman said the service would remain closed Saturday.
“We do not operate if it endangers passengers or damages ships,” Bierman said.
In Washington, the Nationals baseball team postponed its Saturday game to Sunday.
It’s not unusual for one or two tropical storms or even hurricanes to form off the East Coast each year, said Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center.
“We are in the middle of the peak of hurricane season, storms can form virtually anywhere in the Atlantic basin,” Brennan said.