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As it happenedended

East Coast storm death toll climbs to five as thousands left without power: Live

Major storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the East Coast

Martha McHardy,Katie Hawkinson
Tuesday 19 December 2023 16:36 GMT
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Massive storm system drenches East Coast threatening holiday travel

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At least five people died after dangerous flooding pounded New England.

A 72-year-old woman, named as Nancy Morrow, died in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on Sunday after becoming trapped as her car was fully submerged in water, officials said.

Another 73-year-old man, identified as Allan “Ray “ Nolt, in Pennsylvania was also killed after his vehicle became submerged in high water on Monday, according to the coroner’s office in Lancaster County.

Two more people, including a 40-year-old in Maine man whom police have not yet named, and an 89-year-old man in Massachusetts, were killed by fallen trees after the storm caused strong winds.

Meanwhile, a fifth person died in New York when their vehicle went around a barricade on a flooded road and was swept into the Catskill Creek, the Times Union reported.

It comes after 58 million Americans were put under flood warnings yesterday amid a major storm on the East Coast.

The storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the region within a 24-hour period, triggering flooding that engulfed cars, trapped drivers on inundated roadways in New Jersey and Connecticut, and prompted water rescues in New Hampshire and Maine.

The severe weather also left more than 620,000 homes and businesses in the region without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remained in the dark as of Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday morning, the storm moved into Canada, but the National Weather Service warned its impact will “linger,” with snow in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as parts of the Great Lakes and Appalachians, while areas with higher river levels were still experiencing flooding.

Maine hit especially hard by “rare” extreme weather: meteorologist

A meterologist with the National Weather Service told The Independent this type of severe weather in December is unusual for the region.

“Well, this is certainly a very high impact fan for our area, and it's certainly not normal,” meteorologist Derek Schroeter told The Independent.

While a similar severe weather event occured last year on 23 December 2022, the hurricane strength winds and flooding that struck Maine on Monday morning aren’t typical for the state.

Maine is seeing the highest number of power outages during this storm — as of Monday afternoon, more than 380,000 Maine customers are without power, according to tracker PowerOutage.us.

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2023 23:00

Even as rain ends, threat of flooding persists: NWS

The National Weather Service for the Boston region says flooding still remains a risk as rain eases Monday evening.

“Even as the rain comes to an end this evening, the threat for river flooding remains,” the organization wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Maine region faces threats of flooding through Monday night and early Tuesday morning as well, posing a risk to drivers on roads that may become washed out, meteorologist Derek Schroeter previously told The Independent.

Katie Hawkinson19 December 2023 01:03

ICYMI: New York, Boston airports slammed by delays and cancellations on Monday

Airports serving the New York City and Boston areas saw delays and cancellations as severe weather hit the northeastern United States on Monday.

Boston’s Logan International Airport cancelled more than 100 flights and delayed more than 150 due to severe weather, FlightAware reports. Meanwhile, New York’s LaGuardia Airport saw more than 80 flights cancelled and 66 delayed.

New York’s JFK International Airport bore than brunt of delays, with at least 25 per cent of flights running late on Monday, according to FlightAware.

Katie Hawkinson19 December 2023 03:03

ICYMI: Georgia, South Carolina beat rainfall records over the weekend.

The Savannah International Airport in Savannah, Georgia recorded 3.16 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the previous record of 1.96 inches in 1880, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina.

The region beat an additional two records over the weekend. Downtown Charleston, South Carolina was hit by 3.86 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the 1923 record of just 1.18 inches. Meanwhile, the Charleston International Airport recorded 3.17 inches, more than three times the 1975 record of just .66 inches.

Katie Hawkinson19 December 2023 05:03

Maine temperatures expected to drop below freezing Tuesday night

Temperatures in Maine are forecasted to drop below freezing Tuesday evening, less than a day after rain is expected to stop, meteorologist Derek Schroeter told The Independent.

Maine has seen the most power outages out of any state impacted by the dangerous storm that struck the northeast. Residents were warned to stay off the roads as heavy rain posed a flood risk to several areas.

As rainfall dwindles early Tuesday morning, temperatures are expected to stay above freezing, allowing for some drying, Mr Schroeter said.

However, Tuesday evening will bring freezing temperatures, potentially creating icy conditions and preventing drying.

Katie Hawkinson19 December 2023 07:24

ICYMI: Storm hit New York City amid a nearly two-year spell of no snow

This week’s vicious storm hit New York City amid a nearly two-year stretch without recordable snow in the Big Apple.

New York City’s Central Park hasn’t seen more than one inch of snow in a single day in more than 22 months thanks to the La Nina and El Nino phenomenons, a National Weather Service meteorologist previously told The Independent.

With temperatures on Monday near 50 degrees and this week’s temperatures forecasted to stay above freezing during the day, it appears the streak may continue even with the heavy precipitation.

Katie Hawkinson19 December 2023 09:00

Four killed as dangerous floods pound New England

At least four people have died after dangerous flooding pounded New England.

A man in Pennsylvania and a woman in South Carolina – both in their 70s – died after their vehicles were submerged in high water, local officials reported. Two other deaths were reported in Maine and Massachusetts.

The storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the region within a 24-hour period, triggering flooding that engulfed cars, trapped drivers on inundated roadways in New Jersey and Connecticut, and prompted water rescues in New Hampshire and Maine.

The severe weather also left more than 620,000 homes and businesses in the region without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remain in the dark as of Tuesday morning.

Although the storm has now moved into Canada, its impact will “linger,” according to the National Weather Service.

Parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as parts of the Great Lakes and Appalachians could see snow, while the threat of flooding remains in areas with high river levels.

Martha Mchardy19 December 2023 10:31

More than 600,000 across the northeast are without power

A major storm has left more than 620,000 homes and businesses on the East Coast without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remain in the dark as of Tuesday morning.

Martha Mchardy19 December 2023 10:46

Watch: Doorbell Camera Captures Possible Tornado In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Hazardous winds have battered East Coast homes and drivers have been forced to abandon submerged cars.

A storm brought heavy rain and dangerous winds to the Carolinas as it moved up the East Coast on Sunday (17 December).

A tornado warning was briefly issued for parts of Horry County in South Carolina as an observed tornado moved through the Socastee/Forestbrook area.

This doorbell camera video shows a possible tornado moving through Arrowhead Country Club in Myrtle Beach.

South Carolina and other parts of the East Coast experienced severe flooding, which led to road closures and people abandoning their cars after getting stuck.

US: Doorbell Camera Captures Possible Tornado In Myrtle Beach, SC
Martha Mchardy19 December 2023 10:51

Latest pictures as major storm batters East Coast

Flood waters surround a gas station in New Jerset after a large rainstorm
Flood waters surround a gas station in New Jerset after a large rainstorm (Getty Images)
High winds drive surf into a retaining wall in front of a residence in Mattapoisett, Mass
High winds drive surf into a retaining wall in front of a residence in Mattapoisett, Mass (AP)
Cars drive through a flooded street in New Jersey after a large rainstorm
Cars drive through a flooded street in New Jersey after a large rainstorm (Getty Images)
A truck is submerged in flood water on Nepperhan Avenue in New York after a large rainstorm
A truck is submerged in flood water on Nepperhan Avenue in New York after a large rainstorm (Getty Images)
Martha Mchardy19 December 2023 11:10

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