West News Wire: Caribbean Storm A flash flood warning has been issued for the area where Ophelia made landfall at Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with gusts of 70 mph.
There are now tropical storm advisories in effect for four states, from North Carolina to Maryland. For parts of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, including Richmond, flood watches have been issued. The coast is also under coastal flood warnings, which extend into Delaware and southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City.
With repercussions to the commonwealth “likely,” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency on Friday in order to mobilise resources.
Strong gusts, heavy rain, flash flooding, and coastal flooding are all expected effects of Ophelia from the Carolinas all the way to southern New England.
Parts of the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic coast may experience rain, winds equivalent to a tropical storm, and storm surge late Friday into Saturday.
With winds of up to 60 mph and stronger gusts, the storm is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm around the coast of North Carolina on Saturday morning before rapidly dissipating.
Cities like Wilmington, North Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; and Ocean City, Maryland are all included in the tropical storm alert. Additionally, storm surge warnings have been issued for portions of the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina’s southeast.
Eastern North Carolina and Virginia could have up to 6 inches of rain, which is the heaviest probable rainfall. Flooding along the coast is possible.
By Saturday morning, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City will all experience significant rainfall along the Interstate 95 corridor.
Around 3 inches of rain is possible in coastal areas from North Carolina to New Jersey.
North Carolina will experience the storm surge with the biggest waves, which might reach 5 feet. All the way to the Jersey Shore, a storm surge of one to three feet is conceivable.
It may snow up to 7 inches in North Carolina and up to 4 inches in southern New England, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. Urban areas along the Interstate 95 corridor may see flash floods as a result of this heavy rain.
Following Saturday morning’s landing, Ophelia will deteriorate. According to the forecast, it will continue to be a tropical storm through Saturday evening before weakening to a tropical depression or changing into a post-tropical system late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
The rain and gusty winds will persist throughout Saturday and then likely weaken by the evening. But the clouds and showers are forecast to stick around for parts of the Northeast on Sunday as the storm slowly leaves the region.
