Tropical Storm Ophelia, after its landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, is wreaking havoc along the East Coast, unleashing heavy rain, powerful winds, and widespread coastal flooding. Here’s a rundown of the latest developments:
- Power Outages: Over 70,000 homes and businesses in North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic region have lost power, according to PowerOutage.us.
- Coastal Flooding: Coastal North Carolina is grappling with storm surge flooding of more than 3 feet, leading to submerged roadways.
- States of Emergency: Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland have declared states of emergency to tackle the storm’s impact.
- Sports Disruptions: Ophelia’s reach even extended to the world of sports, forcing the postponement of two MLB games – Braves vs. Nationals in Washington, D.C., and Diamondbacks vs. Yankees in New York.
- Near-Hurricane Force: Ophelia made landfall with sustained winds of 70 mph, just shy of hurricane strength. Tropical-storm force winds extend up to 320 miles from its core.
- Continued Impact: Although Ophelia is weakening as it moves inland, it could cause more power outages as it affects additional areas.
- Path Ahead: Ophelia is projected to cross eastern North Carolina, southeastern Virginia, and the Delmarva Peninsula in the coming days.
- Rainfall: The storm is drenching a large portion of the mid-Atlantic, with heavy rain affecting Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York.
- Coastal Areas Hit Hardest: Coastal North Carolina is bearing the brunt of the storm, with storm surge flooding and powerful winds causing significant damage.
- Multiple Threats: Ophelia poses several threats, including heavy rainfall, coastal surge, strong winds, and even the potential for tornadoes.
Stay safe and informed as Tropical Storm Ophelia continues to impact the East Coast!