Janice R. Andrews
A tropical storm warning has been sent out for the Carolinas because of a possible cyclone off the coast. In the next few days, high winds, heavy rain, and shoreline floods are all possible. It was moving erratically about 140 miles east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Winds were still going strong at 45 mph. Forecasters think the system could get stronger into a tropical storm before hitting land on Monday along the coasts of North and South Carolina.
The storm and its forecast
In its 8 p.m. Sunday warning, the NHC said that the storm was facing good conditions for getting stronger, such as warm waters from the Gulf Stream and low wind shear. With the chance of getting stronger, the storm could bring wind gusts of up to 80 mph, especially along the coast of North and South Carolina.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wilmington, North Carolina, has warned of possible flash floods through Tuesday morning. This will mostly happen in low-lying areas like rivers, creeks, and places that tend to flood. In some places, it could rain up to 8 inches, and in others, it could rain more than 20 inches, which would cause rivers and cities to flood.
Concerns About Coastal and Inland Flooding
The Carolina shoreline, which goes from Delaware in the north to northeastern Florida in the south, has a lot of problems, like floods and dangerous rip currents. AccuWeather says that heavy rain will start falling on North Carolina, South Carolina, and parts of Virginia on Sunday night. High tides and strong winds will make it more likely that coastal areas will flood.
Forecasters at the NWS say that coastal floods will be mild until early next week because of high tides, big waves, and a full moon. Beach erosion and rising tides could damage homes and structures along the coast. Roads on barrier islands could become unusable because of damage or high water.
Possible Landfall and Effects
According to AccuWeather, the storm could hit land late Monday night near the line between North Carolina and South Carolina. People who live near the coast are likely to be hit the hardest, with strong winds, floods, and power cuts expected. People in these places are already getting ready for emergencies to make sure they are ready for the storm.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are especially at risk because of strong rip currents and dangerous beach break situations. People who have never swum or been to the beach before are told to stay out of the water to avoid dangerous situations. A lot of times, the NWS has warned that strong rip currents can carry away even experienced swimmers.
Making energy and how it affects the economy
Hurricane Francine’s effects are still being felt in the Gulf of Mexico, even though the storm is moving toward the Carolinas. A few days after the Category 2 storm hit land, more than 16,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana still don’t have power. The U.S. offshore energy regulator said that in the Gulf of Mexico, 28% of natural gas production and nearly 20% of crude oil production are still not working.
Production should start up again quickly at facilities that weren’t damaged, but it could take longer for facilities that were damaged to get back to work. Because of these delays, energy prices might go up for a short time.
Storm from “Home”
This storm is called a “homegrown” system because it formed close to the coast instead of far out in the middle Atlantic, which is what usually happens during hurricane season. Meteorologists at AccuWeather say that most storms that start over the Atlantic go a long way before they reach the U.S. coast. This system, on the other hand, formed closer to home, so it took less time to get here.
Alerts and Getting Ready
As this possible tropical storm gets closer, people living along the coast of North Carolina are being asked to finish making plans. People who live in places that are likely to flood should move to higher land if they have to. The local government is keeping a close eye on things and giving evacuation orders and shelters in case they are needed.
Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected to keep hitting the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic through Wednesday. This means that there is still a high chance of flash floods, power cuts, and road problems. People who live near the coast should pay close attention to weather reports and follow any escape orders or warnings from local authorities.
As the possible tropical storm gets closer to land, people in the Carolinas are getting ready for big effects. The biggest dangers right now are heavy rain, strong winds, and ocean floods. Things are likely to get worse through Monday night and Tuesday. As the storm gets closer to land, people who live in the affected places are being asked to stay aware and be careful.
