A tropical storm, a hurricane, a tropical storm, a hurricane — after a lot of back and forth, forecasters say it looks likes Isaias will not regain strength now that it has come ashore and is passing inland over Virginia.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t have an adverse impact on our area, where a tropical storm warning is now in effect.
“Widespread sustained tropical-storm-force winds and gusts to hurricane force are expected along the mid-Atlantic coast,” the National Hurricane Center said its 11 AM update. “Heavy rainfall along the East Coast, near the path of Isaias, will result in flash flooding, some of which may be significant throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast through tonight.”
“The main threats with this system involve heavy rainfall, strong winds, minor to moderate coastal flooding, along with high surf and dangerous rip currents,” the NWS said. “Additionally, a few tornadoes are possible.”
Heavy rainfall was expected, about 1 to 3 inches with amounts up to 5 inches possible, the NWS said. But the shift of the storm’s path inland means the heaviest rain and rainfall flooding is now forecast to occur across New York City, northeast New Jersey, and up the Lower Hudson Valley.
The strongest winds — 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph — were forecast for the New York City Metro Area, including Long Island and southeast Connecticut with dangerous marine conditions throughout coastal areas. High surf and dangerous rip currents, and coastal erosion, are expected through Wednesday.
Isaias had become a hurricane late last week as it moved from Puerto Rico over the Bahamas but lost some its intensity as it approached the Florida coast. It briefly regained hurricane designation as it approached the coast of the Carolinas on Monday.
The name “Isaias” has many different pronunciations, however the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has deemed the correct one “ees-ah-EE-ahs”. The name derives from the Spanish biblical form of Isaiah and means “God is my salvation.”
