Tropical storm watches and warnings remained in effect for wide parts of the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast, including New Jersey and DE, where Rehoboth Beach could experience wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and life-threatening storm surges during high tide late Sunday and into Monday.
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“Remember to take all valuables out of the vehicles and lock them”, officials said.
As Florida cleared trees and downed power lines on Saturday, the National Weather Service on issued a flash flood watch for northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia, including Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Hermine, which already caused Gov. Christie to declare a state of emergency Saturday, was moving at 12 miles-per hour in an East-Northeasterly direction as of 5 a.m. Sunday morning, and with sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, according to the NHC.
But what does a tropical storm warning mean?
Emergency management officials from North Carolina to New Jersey warned the surges would bring strong rip currents, high seas and beach erosion.
NY officials extended beach closures beyond Labor Day because of continued deadly rip currents, but some ignored the warnings.
But first forecasters expect Hermine to turn to the northeast and decrease its forward speed on Saturday night, pick up strength and then achieve hurricane force again on Sunday. “Almost getting blown away from this storm on the boardwalk in Ocean City was so worth it for Dunkin Donuts”, Twitter user Jessica wrote from a Maryland resort town.
On Saturday, high winds tipped over an 18-wheeler, killing its driver and shutting down the USA 64 bridge in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for Nassau County and New York City, but will remain active for Suffolk County until further notice.
A small tornado spawned by Hermine knocked over two trailers and injured four people on the North Carolina Outer Banks.
Delaware Governor Jack Markell has issued a limited state of emergency for Sussex County as Tropical Storm Hermine approaches.
About 21,000 customers remained without power Saturday morning in SC.
A Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert set for Virginia Beach also was postponed from Saturday to Monday because of the storm.
The Florida panhandle was pummeled with strong winds and rain when the storm made landfall at about 2 a.m. Friday. Though diminished from previous forecasts, impacts are still expected as Suffolk County remains on Tropical Storm Warning. “It was frightful”, she said.
In Keaton Beach, about two dozen people waited on a road just after sunrise Friday, trying to get to their homes.
An unnamed spring storm that hit the beach in 1993 killed 10 people who refused to evacuate.
The popular restaurant was serving patrons Saturday morning, but staff said they would wait to see whether they would open Sunday and Monday.
Cindy Simpson was waiting near her auto, hoping her beach home and boats survived. “I love my kids, but two days is a long time to be together in close spaces”, she said.
“It is a chilling map in that it shows storm surges going all the way up the Chesapeake Bay”, McAuliffe said.
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A total rainfall of more than 22 inches was reported in Florida with totals as high as 13 inches in North Carolina.
