New Yorkers were warned to leave their basement apartments and prepare to seek higher ground as post-tropical cyclone Ophelia continued to spread wet weather across the East Coast on Sunday.
The last named storm of the hurricane season is weakening after making landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on Saturday with winds of 70 mph before hitting New Jersey with 10-foot waves and heavy rain.
New York City is now suffering the final impact of Ophelia and Washington, DC officials are also expecting flooding as they placed sandbags in flood-prone areas on Sunday.
Zach Iscol, New York City’s emergency management commissioner, said: “As the warmer days of summer are behind us, New Yorkers should take precautions regarding the forecast of strong winds and rain during our first weekend of fall,” he said.
“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.”
A weather map showing the aftermath of post-tropical cyclone Ophelia off the east coast, as of 12:50 p.m. Monday
Torrential rain in New York’s Times Square on Sunday
The news release included safety tips, including using public transportation to prevent city residents from driving into flooded streets.
Additionally, residents of basement apartments were urged to prepare to move to higher ground in the event of dangerous flooding.
Midtown Manhattan, Prospect Park and Harlem are expected to receive 1.81, 1.71 and 1.41 inches of rain, respectively, through Sunday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The agency warned Monday morning of an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall that would spread across the northern mid-Atlantic, southern parts of New York and southern New England.
Local flash flooding, urban and small stream flooding, and isolated river flooding were possible.
The NWS forecast continued light to moderate rain into Sunday night, with most precipitation falling between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Persistent showers were possible into Monday.
“During heavy rainfall, widespread flooding of low-lying areas with poor drainage may occur, and isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out,” the release said.
It also warned of coastal hazards including “a high risk of life-threatening rip currents, large breaking waves and rough surf on Atlantic-facing beaches.”
On Sunday, the main threats in the region were rain and surf in New York and increased water levels due to a storm surge in parts of the Chesapeake Bay.
The waves generated by the storm were expected to cause deadly waves and disrupt current conditions.
Despite the dreary rainy weather, New Yorkers flocked to the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Saturday evening, braving the rain to see artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lauryn Hill.
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
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
NOAA map showing post-tropical cyclone Ophelia over the US East Coast on Sunday
On Sunday morning, 2,600 people lost power in North Carolina. In New Jersey, that number has almost doubled.
Ophelia was a hurricane-force tropical storm when it struck near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on September 24.
The power went out and the coastal roads were flooded. States of emergency have been declared in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.