After being downgraded from a tropical storm, Ophelia on Sunday still threatened parts of the Northeast with coastal flooding, life-threatening waves and heavy rain from Washington to New York City, the National Hurricane Center said.
Ophelia’s Impact
Even though Ophelia was downgraded on Saturday, the center warned that swells generated by the storm would affect the East Coast for the rest of the weekend, likely causing dangerous surf conditions and rip currents. Ophelia was also expected to drop 1 to 3 inches of additional rain over parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Isolated river flooding was also possible.
Weather Update
Ophelia was south of Washington on Sunday and was expected to continue moving northeast before turning east and then weakening more over the next two days, according to the hurricane center. Meanwhile, a new tropical storm named Philippe was forming in the Atlantic, 1,175 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Philippe had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
Impact in New Jersey
Some New Jersey shore communities, including Sea Isle City, experienced flooding Saturday, and thousands of people in the state remained without power Sunday. The National Weather Service reported numerous communities with coastal flooding. A video posted on the agency’s Mount Holly site said many streets were flooded in Brielle, New Jersey, during high tide. Some flooding and road closures were also reported in coastal Delaware.
Storm’s Path
The storm came ashore Saturday near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph, but the winds weakened as the system traveled north, the hurricane center said.
Videos from social media showed significant flooding in the state’s riverfront communities such as New Bern, Belhaven, and Washington.
Rescue Operation
Even before making landfall, Ophelia proved treacherous enough that five people, including three children, had to be rescued Friday night by the Coast Guard. They were aboard a 38-foot catamaran stuck in choppy water and strong winds while anchored off Cape Lookout, North Carolina.
Thousands Without Electricity in North Carolina
According to poweroutage.us, a few thousand homes and businesses in North Carolina were still without electricity on Sunday morning. This information is based on utility reports that are being tracked.
Rescue Efforts and Investigations
In another rescue operation, a team helped the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office evacuate 15 people from a campground located between the Pamlico River and the Chocowinity Bay. Brian Haines, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, provided this information.
Beaufort Pirate Invasion Affected
At the southern tip of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, damage caused by the storm forced the organizers of the Beaufort Pirate Invasion to salvage what was left of the event. The Pirate Invasion is a long-running weekend event that revolves around the 1747 Spanish attack on the town. The high winds destroyed the big tent that was supposed to host a banquet on Saturday, and several other tents were also damaged.
States Declare State of Emergency
The governors of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland have each declared a state of emergency in their respective states in response to the storm.
Climate Change and Increased Storm Activity
Scientists have been warning that climate change could lead to an increase in hurricanes and their impact on mid-latitude regions. This storm, including Hurricane Lee this month, is an example of the potential consequences. A study has shown that hurricanes are more likely to form along the Southeast coast and track closer to the coasts, including areas like Boston, New York City, and Virginia.
Limited Impact in Some Areas
While the storm had significant effects in certain areas, there were places where the impact was not as severe. For example, Aaron Montgomery discovered a roof leak in his family’s new home in Williamsburg, Virginia. Despite this issue, they were still able to travel to Virginia Beach for his wife’s birthday celebration, where they experienced strong surf and wind but no further rain. Montgomery acknowledged the leak and mentioned that it would need to be addressed on Monday.