Tropical Storm Ophelia Brings Flooding to New Jersey
Tropical Storm Ophelia has made a significant impact as it made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, early Saturday morning. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, has been affecting areas hundreds of miles away from its center since Friday. Wind gusts reached as high as 72 mph at Cape Lookout, causing power outages for over 80,000 customers, with a significant portion in North Carolina.
Ophelia is expected to continue moving northward over land, bringing heavy rainfall to the mid-Atlantic region. Coastal conditions have worsened, with rough surf reported in locations like Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Meteorologists are closely monitoring dunes along the North Carolina coast for potential vulnerabilities caused by the storm.
In a dramatic incident, storm chaser Aaron Rigbsy documented a boat sinking due to rough seas from Ophelia in Newport News, Virginia. As the storm approached, residents from South Carolina to Delaware had to hastily prepare for its arrival, with some venturing out to the beach despite worsening weather conditions.
Further south, Ophelia had already demonstrated its power, covering Highway 12 at Mirlo Beach, North Carolina, located along the Outer Banks, with sand and water. As the storm continues its northward advance, residents along the affected regions should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
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