The storm that impacted Florida on Saturday and expanded northwards during Sunday will continue to generate rain, strong winds and, in some cases, flooding through Tuesday.
"The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable," the National Weather Service (NWS) warned. In addition, the agency reported that the storm may produce showers and thunderstorms over the Mid-Atlantic Coast.
2:04 PM ET: Radar Scan
Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. Visit https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP for safety tips! 💦⛈ pic.twitter.com/BykPgTfLOx
— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 17, 2023
Local NWS services also warned that ideal conditions for the formation of tornadoes could occur in specific areas such as Carteret County in North Carolina. Experts asked residents of these areas to be alert to both the weather conditions around them, and updates from authorities.
Tornado Warning continues for Carteret County, NC until 10:15 PM EST pic.twitter.com/dnSqC64PHh
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) December 18, 2023
More than 3,000 people woke up without power in Florida this Monday, according to PowerOutage.us. In Georgia, there were more than 450. Between North Carolina and South Carolina the number reached 7,000.
This morning’s storm surge near Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda, Florida!
Video sent in by: Lou Brancaccio#weather #flwx #stormhour #florida #wx pic.twitter.com/dnIY9MVdMq
— Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) December 17, 2023
My video clips here from Pinellas County early this AM chasing the Gulf low. Amazing how fast the water came in. pic.twitter.com/aaYyI9aqro
— Mike's Weather Page (@tropicalupdate) December 17, 2023
Southeastern Florida continues to get hammered with heavy rainfall as multiple systems move through. Flood alerts are in place through tomorrow for portions along the coast. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/WGzZLowiaf
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) November 16, 2023
In South Carolina, strong winds created tides of 9.86 feet (3 meters) in Charleston Harbor – the highest record for a non-tropical system. It was also the fourth highest of all time.
RECORD ALERT: Prelim max tide in the Charleston Harbor is 9.86 ft MLLW. This is the 4th highest tide on record and well above the highest tide for a non-tropical system. That record was 8.81 ft MLLW set on 01/01/1987. Widespread dangerous flooding continues. #chswx #scw
— NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) December 17, 2023
This Monday the first measurable snowfall of the month was also expected. The NWS issued alarms for areas in Indiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Due to both the snow and the storm, authorities have asked citizens to allow more time than usual for their trips and not to drive on flooded roads.
The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult. Give yourself extra time for your commute and NEVER drive through a flooded roadway! pic.twitter.com/S1nGzWQFDL
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 18, 2023
Thousands of people without power in the United States
As of 10:30 a.m. EST on Monday, the data on PowerOutage.us was alarming. According to the update at that time, there were 121,118 customers in Massachusetts without power. The situation elsewhere was not much better. In Connecticut, the number of homes without power was 82,000; in Maine, the figure stood at 101,852; in New Hampshire, the number of homes without power stood at 40,016; in New York, 47,830; and, in New Jersey, 46,412 customers were without power.
The situation at Boston Logan International Airport is also of concern. According to data provided by FlightAware, the number of flight cancellations (both domestic and international) was 163, while the number of flights suffering significant delays (also both domestic and international) stands at 251.
