Florida officials issued flood and wind warnings as millions of people are at risk due to a massive storm that threatens the East Coast.
The strengthening storm struck the state with heavy rains and powerful winds this weekend and is making its way up the East Coast. It threatens to cause floods, dangerous surf, power outages, and travel disruptions.
Officials Issue Flood and Wind Warnings
There are more than 2 million people who are at risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds on Sunday across parts of South Carolina up to New England. Authorities issued a flash flood emergency for South Carolina's eastern Georgetown County, which is located just south of Myrtle Beach.
There was roughly 4.5 and seven inches of rain that fell and heavy rain is expected to continue to affect the region on Sunday. Officials noted that intense winds created tides that rose as high as 9.86 feet in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, on Sunday.
The Storm Prediction Center said that this marked the fourth-highest tide on record for the region and was well above the highest tide for a non-tropical system. The weather agency warned that "Widespread dangerous flooding continues," as per CNN.
Furthermore, authorities issued a tornado watch for eastern North Carolina which involves more than 1 million people in Wilmington, New Bern, and much of the Outer Banks. It was to remain in effect until 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
The weather service posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, where it said that there are scattered gusts of up to 65 mph that could be experienced in the region. Roughly 11,000 customers were left without power in both North and South Carolina.
The storm hugged the East Coast on Sunday after moving through Florida and it later expanded its reach from Georgia to parts of the Northeast. There were also parts of South Carolina north into Pennsylvania and New Jersey that are expected to see heavy rainfall.
Powerful Weather Phenomenon
In the National Weather Agency's (NWS) advisory on Sunday, it noted that thunderstorms in North Carolina and eastern South Carolina could include frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, few tornadoes, and a minimal threat of hail, according to MPR News.
The NWS office located in Wilmington, North Carolina, reported that there was some flooding in southern North Carolina and along the South Carolina coast. The agency also advised that widespread rainfall of two to three inches was possible and that some areas could experience four to six inches.
There is a flood warning near the Sante Fe River in northern Florida that will be in effect from Monday night to Wednesday night. The weather agency warned that flooding could affect roads in Columbia County in north central Florida.
Residents who live along the I-95 corridor were told to expect a dangerous commute on Monday morning due to heavy rains and strong winds. The NWS has issued a flood watch across more than a dozen states that affect more than 60 million people.
Authorities also ordered dozens of rescue missions during the flooding rains. The public information officer for Georgetown County, Jackie Broach added that there were no reports of injuries or deaths, said ABC News.
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