From Washington to New York… Heavy rain and flooding along the Atlantic coast
Even after Ophelia weakens, tsunami wave risk warning
American media, including the Associated Press, reported that heavy rain and flooding were occurring in many places until the 24th (local time) due to the effects of Ophelia, which is causing significant damage to the northeastern Atlantic coast of the United States even a day after it weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center said that life-threatening high tsunami waves and flooding are continuing from the capital Washington to the vicinity of New York City.
While Ophelia weakened back to a tropical depression, a new tropical storm named Philippe formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical storm season in the Atlantic continues.
A warning was issued to surfers as dangerous surges and rip currents formed along the eastern coast due to swollen sea levels caused by Ophelia, which was downgraded on the night of the 23rd.
In addition, Ophelia is expected to bring an additional 2.5 to 7.6 cm of heavy rain on the mid-Atlantic coast and New England, and rivers off the coast are also at risk of flooding, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.
According to the Hurricane Center, Ophelia, which passed south of Washington City in the early morning of Sunday the 24th, is expected to rise further northeast and then turn east toward the sea, weakening further and dissipating in the next two days.
Meanwhile, another Tropical Storm Philip formed in the Cape Verde Islands, 1890 km off the coast of the United States and off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Philip’s maximum sustained wind speed is currently 75 km/h.
The U.S. National Weather Service said that flooding in coastal areas also caused damage in many places in New Jersey. It also includes Sea Isle City, Brielle, etc. A power outage occurred throughout New Jersey, forcing thousands of residents to spend the night in the dark without electricity on the 24th.
As of early morning on the 24th, the number of households with power outages reported initially decreased from 13,000 to 6,000.
Flooding and road damage were also reported in the coastal city of Delaware.
Cities along the river, including New Bern, Belhaven, and Washington in North Carolina, suffered severe flooding due to Ophelia.
Before landing on land, Ophelia’s power was particularly great, so much so that on the night of the 22nd, the Coast Guard rescued five people from a ship anchored near the coast of North Carolina and moved them to land.
Ophelia continued to move slowly at 19 kilometers per hour (as of Saturday night) along the Atlantic coast over the weekend, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain. Rain continued until the 24th in areas near Virginia and the rest of the Atlantic coast.
New York City suspended ferry service to and from Rockaway. Other ferries continue to operate normally.
Climate scientists say that due to climate change, hurricanes are moving over wider radii and are more likely to hit mountainous and coastal areas.
The Associated Press also reported that a research report showed that compared to the pre-industrial period, hurricanes have come closer to land, so the risk to cities along the southeastern Atlantic coast, such as Boston, New York, and Virginia, has increased.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.