There is increased confidence that Hermine will have a major impact at the Jersey Shore and DE beaches throughout the Labor Day weekend.
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Projected storm surges of up to 12 feet menaced a wide swath of the coast and an expected drenching of up to 10 inches of rain carried the danger of flooding along the storm’s path over land, including the state capital Tallahassee, which hadn’t been hit by a hurricane since Kate in 1985. The system could then lash coastal areas as far north as CT and Rhode Island through Labor Day.
“Anyone along the U.S. East Coast needs to be paying close attention this weekend”, center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said.
“The concern this week was the reduced demand we were going to see because of SC and Georgia, a lot of people not driving because the Hurricane this weekend”, said Eugene Graner, Heartland Investors.
Sustained winds of 30 to 45 miles per hour are possible with gusts to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Hermine will lose its tropical structure but will remain a large storm once it reaches the Mid-Atlantic.
Amtrak says it has cancelled or altered some service on the East Coast as the storm approaches.
Parts of Maryland have been placed under a state of emergency, officials announced Friday evening.
The order covers Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe had earlier declared a state of emergency for that state’s coastal communities.
The immediate D.C. area should get only light to moderate rain Saturday and Sunday.
“I don’t know the condition of my house”, a woman told CBS as the storm hit. Tropical storm Hermine is moving through Georgia at this time.
“There’s still a lot of uncertainty of just how the tropical weather will effect Maryland, so we’re making sure to coordinate with the National Weather Service on a regular basis to make sure we know what we’re in store for and how we can prepare for any weather”, Eby said.
Rain, wind, and localized flooding may continue throughout the weekend and into early next week.
If you have beachfront property, secure or bring inside items that could be blown by the wind, move electronics off the floor and secure any water vessels. They’re scheduled to be in place by Saturday morning to help local law enforcement and emergency response teams, officials said.
Refresh WBALTV.com and our app, and watch 11 News for late-breaking updates on this developing story.
In Valdosta, Georgia, Hermine didn’t cause much damage other than the holes in Nick Wykoff’s roof from a burly pecan tree that was toppled in strong winds.
The weather should calm down by Monday, which will still be windy and cloudy at the beaches but mostly dry.
Friday night: Rain moves out toward midnight.
At least one computer model shows the total rainfall forecast through 3 p.m. Sunday around 5 inches at Ocean City.
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Winds could also pose a problem.
