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Tag: Meteorologists

  • Live Weather Updates, August 21: Hurricane Erin’s Waves Flood The Outer Banks As The Storm’s Reach Stretches Up The East Coast

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    Simply put, today is the day that Hurricane Erin will do its worst along the U.S. East Coast. We’re already see the large waves and coastal flooding in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but this large storm’s trek northeast is also pushing ocean swells high onto beaches along New York’s Fire Island and the Jersey Shore.

    Our meteorologists have a full rundown of where Erin is now, where it’s headed today and when you can expect the peak of today’s impacts.

    Our team will also keep you updated throughout the day on where the flooding is happening and the closures that result.

    (09:39 a.m. EDT) How Close Was Erin?

    From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

    It turned out, Erin’s center came as close as 200 miles east-southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina, as of 2 a.m. ET today.

    But given Erin’s tropical storm force winds were up to 480 miles wide, it is bringing tropical storm conditions to coastal North Carolina and the Virginia Tidewater today, not to mention coastal flooding, high surf and rip currents along the East Coast.

    A hurricane — especially one this large — doesn’t have to make landfall to be impactful.

    (09:20 a.m. EDT) Massive Swells At Popular Florida Pier

    A Florida meteorologist shared some impressive sunrise video of huge ocean swells crashing onto Juno Beach. The waves popped out a few boards of the Juno Pier, which remains open right now.

    (09:00 a.m. EDT) Another High Tide

    From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

    We’re at another high tide along the East Coast and, as you can see in the graphic from the National Weather Service below, there are three more high tides after this morning where coastal flooding is expected in the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina.

    This evening’s high tide is the one where flooding may be greatest from North Carolina to the Jersey shore, as northeast winds from soon departing Hurricane Erin keep pushing water to the coast.

    (08:44 a.m. EDT) Will NC-12 Hold?

    A front-end loader clears a road of sand while floodwaters cover it

    A front-end loader clears a road of sand while floodwaters cover it

    From managing editor Sean Breslin:

    That’s the million-dollar question along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The highway known as NC-12 is a lifeline for locals, vacationers and emergency responders alike. It spans about 150 miles, connecting the islands of the Outer Banks, but stretches of it have been destroyed by hurricanes of previous years.

    Last night, about a 48-mile stretch of the highway was closed due to storm surge between Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Village.

    (08:40 a.m. EDT) Welcome To Day 11 Of Erin

    From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

    This “Cabo Verde” storm already made quite a voyage. It’s 2,941 miles away from where it first became a tropical storm 10 days ago near Cabo Verde.

    (08:16 a.m. EDT) Sun Rises On East Coast

    From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

    Early risers along the East Coast are posting photos to social media of a pretty spectacular sunrise, courtesy of Hurricane Erin’s moisture. This photo from Charleston, South Carolina, was just posted by meteorologist Joey Sovine.

    (07:47 a.m. EDT) Imagine Being On This Ferry

    From managing editor Sean Breslin:

    Keeping in mind that this is all the way up near the Rhode Island coast, check out how this boat was jostled by large waves yesterday evening:

    (07:34 a.m. EDT) Buoy Shows 44.9 Foot Wave Height From Hurricane Erin

    From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

    Hurricane Erin is a huge storm capable of producing some giant waves. Many of these waves will remain unknown and unrecorded, but there are plenty of buoys out in the Atlantic capable of picking up data to give us some sense of what’s going on out there.

    Keep an eye on buoy 41001, located 150 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, which recently reported significant wave heights of 44.9 feet. As senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Erdman explains, since “max wave heights” are usually 2x the sig. wave heights….there could be up to 90-foot waves well offshore!”

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  • Houston Residents May Dodge A Bullet With Tropical Storm Francine, For Now

    Houston Residents May Dodge A Bullet With Tropical Storm Francine, For Now

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    Local meteorologists are monitoring the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Francine develops. It is forecasted to move toward Texas’s neighbor to the east, Louisiana.

    Francine began as a tropical wave, entering the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as a cluster of undeveloped storms before organizing into the sixth named tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on Monday.

    According to Space City Weather, data from computer modeling indicates that the storm is projected to remain off the Texas coast, causing “modest to minimal” impacts on the Houston area.

    Forecasts showed that Francine shifted to the northeast on Monday, as meteorologists expect the brunt of the tropical storm to hit the Louisiana coast. It could cause serious damage if it develops into a Category 1 or 2 hurricane.

    The National Hurricane Center warned Louisiana residents that the storm could strengthen to become a hurricane by Wednesday. The National Weather Service placed the Louisiana coast under a hurricane and storm surge watch.

    Forecasts anticipate surges of four to seven feet or five to 10 feet. The storm surge watch includes areas east of High Island, Texas, to the Mississippi-Alabama coast.

    The tropical storm’s projected path could change; however, time is running out for this to occur. Houston residents will likely see elevated rain changes on Tuesday afternoon, night and into Wednesday — especially in locations south of I-10 — as a result of the storm.

    Eric Berger, a meteorologist with Space City Weather, wrote that he does not anticipate the potential for much or any flooding—with the possible exception of areas immediately along the Texas coast.

    Galveston Island could see tropical storm-force winds on Wednesday morning; however, Berger noted the chance of this is low. Houston is expected to get 15 to 20 mph winds that could gust upward of 30 mph but should not cause significant issues with electricity distribution.

    Any rainfall and tropical storm-related winds are forecasted to move out of the Houston area by Wednesday afternoon or evening.

    CenterPoint Energy raised some alarm bells over the weekend as the utility provider announced it was instituting preventative measures ahead of the storm. These efforts included stationing crews throughout the region, pre-storm vegetation management and securing additional resources.

    The company reminded its customers to stay alert to potential weather developments and make necessary safety precaution plans, particularly those requiring electricity to maintain “life-sustaining equipment.”

    Houston Mayor John Whitmire said on Sunday that city officials were prepositioning generators, deploying high-water rescue vehicles and increasing staffing levels across essential departments in the days ahead of the tropical storm. Whitmire added that Houston would be ready for “any scenario” that could result from Francine.

    On Sunday, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to prepare for additional state emergency response sources. The agency issued an activation notice to the Texas Emergency Management Council agencies. 

    This story will be updated as needed.

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    Faith Bugenhagen

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