Three people are dead and two missing after Tropical Storm Isaias tears through NC and Maryland

Two people have been killed and three are missing, including two children, after Tropical Storm Isaias smashed into North Carolina as a hurricane with 85mph winds flooding and tornadoes as it continues to barrel up the East Coast where it could hit New York City with 70mph winds, the strongest since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. 

A tornado is believed to have passed through the Cedar Landing community of Bertie County overnight, authorities said. 

Local officials said that 20 people were taken to a local hospital and three people, including two children, are still missing after the tornado hit the mobile home park overnight. 

Horrifying images show debris from mobile homes that were completely obliterated by the tornado.

The storm was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting the Carolinas as a hurricane. By 6am Tuesday, the storm had moved into Virginia before hitting Maryland. 

Maryland authorities reported multiple water rescues as the storm downed trees and flooded roads throughout the DMV area. 

The area is expected to get hit with storm-force wind gusts, up to 6 inches of rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding before the storm closes in on New York and New Jersey. 

A tropical storm warning extended all the way up to Maine, where flash flooding was possible in some areas on Wednesday. Forecasters also warned of possible tornadoes from eastern Virginia to southern New England later Tuesday.

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It will continue to head up the coast of mid-Atlantic states and across the northeastern US later into the evening. 

The US National Hurricane Center warned oceanside home dwellers to brace for storm surge up to 5 feet and up to 8 inches of rain in spots, as Isaias moved up the coast.

‘All those rains could produce flash flooding across portions of the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic, and even in the northeast US,’ said Daniel Brown, senior hurricane specialist at the US National Hurricane Center.

Preparations for the storm’s arrival have been underway in major cities along the East Coast, including New York, where officials say Isaias packs the strongest punch since Superstorm Sandy from 2012. 

New York City started preparing for Isaias on Sunday. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city began its preparations by implementing flood measures learned from Sandy.

Temporary one-mile barriers are being installed from Wall Street to Water Street in Manhattan. Photos showed workers preparing a hydro-dam in the lower Manhattan area to prevent storm surge from Isaias. 

Vents were also placed at the Flatbush Ave and Nostrand Ave entrance of the Flatbush Av/Brooklyn College 2 and 5 train station. Rain in New York City is expected to run from 1 to 6pm on Tuesday. 

Forecasters have warned that New York City, which is still grappling from the impact of COVID-19, could see some of the strongest wind gusts since Superstorm Sandy. 

According to the National Weather Service, winds of up to 70mph are forecast for New York City on Tuesday. 

On October 29, 2012, the peak wind gust at John F. Kennedy International Airport was 69mph during Superstorm Sandy. 

Meteorologist Ross Dickman told CNN that ‘the wind and flooding impacts from Isaias will be similar to what the city has seen from some of the strongest coastal storms, but we haven’t seen one this strong in many years’.

In a state, Gov Andrew Cuomo’s office said state agencies continue to closely monitor the storm’s track and have strategically pre-deployed resources to the Capital, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions.

‘Tropical Storm Isaias has started moving through New York, bringing with it strong winds, torrential rain and the potential for flash flooding that can cause major disruptions, and I’m urging New Yorkers, particularly those directly in Isaias’ path, to stay calm, be smart and avoid unnecessary travel,’ Cuomo said. 

‘Our emergency response team has been pre-deployed to the areas projected to be the hardest hit, and we are prepared to assist our local partners in keeping New Yorkers safe,’ the governor added. 

Areas in the interior of the state could still see up to six inches of rainfall with stronger winds. Tropical storm warnings and tornado watches are in effect for the lower Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions. 

Forecasts are predicting that New Yorkers in these regions could experience wind speeds between 40 and 50mph, with gusts reaching nearly 70mph at the peak of the storm. 

Localized storm surges of up to two feet are also a possibility along the coastline.

The National Weather Service has also issued a number of flash flood watches and wind advisories for areas throughout the northern Mid-Hudson, Southern Tier, Capital and North Country regions. 

Tornado watches remain in effect for Philadelphia, all of Delaware and New Jersey until 4pm. 

Photos from Philadelphia showed the city being inundated with flood waters as local officials initiated multiple rescues. 

One image shows an officer rushing toward a person whose car became stuck in flood waters on Tuesday.  

New Jersey was under a state of emergency Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias made its way up the coast.

Gov Phil Murphy issued the order, telling motorists not be on roads unless ‘absolutely necessary’.

Murphy said all state offices were closed and nonessential state government workers were told to stay home.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for most of New Jersey as Isaias threatened the state with high winds and heavy rainfall.

Weather forecasters are predicting 45 to 55mph winds with gusts to 70mph. Those winds threaten to down trees and power lines.

The state also advised businesses to take down all temporary structures, including outdoor dining tents and umbrellas that were erected during the coronavirus pandemic. The rainfall could cause flooding.

The National Weather Service also issued a tornado watch for the entire state. Hoboken officials told residents in flood-prone areas to park on higher ground.

Video footage uploaded to social media by residents of Myrtle Beach show flooding induced by storm surge just before the hurricane was due to make landfall. 

‘Ocean Boulevard is just covered in storm surge,’ Josh Morgerman tweeted.  

In the Carolinas, coastal residents secured patio furniture, ferry operators completed evacuations on the Outer Banks, and officials passed out sandbags and offered car space in elevated garages Monday as Isaias marched northward late on Monday.

Fire officials in North Myrtle Beach deployed high-water vehicles to rescue stranded drivers who got stuck in the floodwaters early Tuesday morning.

‘We are seeing several areas of the city beginning to have ponding on the roadways from heavy rain as well as tidal flooding in Cherry Grove,’ North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue posted on its social media.

Authorities are begging motorists to stay off the roads while the storm continues to impact the region.

‘You being out and getting stuck somewhere you shouldn’t be ties up Emergency Personnel that are needed for other incidents,’ North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue posted on its social media. 

As the storm neared the shore, a gauge on a pier in Myrtle Beach recorded its third highest water level since it was set up in 1976. 

Only Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 pushed more salt water inland. 

In other parts of North Carolina, terrifying footage showed parking lots and roads flooded with water as wind and rain lashed homes when the hurricane hit at 11pm Monday night.  

 

 

In Oak Island, North Carolina, nine people and their dog were rescued from the area by Brunswick Sheriff. ‘Four adults, five beautiful children and an adorable Basset Hound rescued on Oak Island,’ a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office said. ‘Safely loaded in our MRAP (an armored tactical vehicle) and taken to safety!’

Just 15 miles down the coast, five homes on Ocean Isle Beach were ripped apart by ferocious infernos caused by the hurricane. And 80 miles north in Surf City, 30 people rushed out of a burning apartment complex. 

In North Carolina, at least 124,000 power outages were reported in the Wilmington area the encompasses both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties 

Duke Energy reported hundreds of thousands of power outages as heavy rains and winds battered areas including Wrightsville, Kure, and Carolina beaches in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

‘The high winds and heavy rains associated with this powerful tropical storm are expected to cause widespread power outages along the coastline and to points well inland,’ a Duke Energy update stated. 

‘Updates on the estimated times of restoration may be delayed until the storm clears the area.’ 

Oceanfront streets throughout the area flooded as the sea ended up nearly 10 feet above low tide.

Up the coast in southern North Carolina, high winds from Isaias’ inner core knocked down trees and power lines, blocking roads. No major damage was initially reported.

President Donald Trump on Monday described Isaias as ‘very serious’.

‘Storm surge and inland flooding are possible and everyone needs to remain vigilant until it passes,’ Trump said.

Authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ordered swimmers out of the water to avoid rough surf and strong rip currents. 

Still, many people were out enjoying the beach and walking their dogs under overcast skies.

Shops and restaurants appeared quieter than usual for a summertime Monday in North Myrtle Beach, but locals blamed COVID-19 more than Isaias. 

No businesses were boarding up their windows, although some moved outside furniture inside.

Officials in frequently flooded Charleston, South Carolina, handed out sandbags and opened parking garages so residents on the low-lying peninsula could stow their cars above ground.

Ferry operators wrapped up evacuations from Ocracoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Monday, moving more than 3,500 people and 1,700 vehicles off the island over four days. 

Island officials were taking no chances after taking a beating less than a year ago from Hurricane Dorian. Evacuation orders have also been issued for Hatteras Island north of Ocracoke.

Morgan Stewart said many evacuating residents had come into the store where she works in the inland community of Kinston to buy tarps, batteries, flashlights and other supplies.

‘You can tell they’re worried,’ said Stewart, who saw cars parked on higher ground over the weekend as she secured her boat at a marina.

Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and roughed up the Bahamas but remained at sea as it brushed past Florida over the weekend.

Isaias’ passage near Florida was particularly unwelcome to authorities already dealing with surging coronavirus caseloads. 

The storm brought heavy rain and flooding to the state, forcing authorities to close outdoor virus testing sights, as well as beaches and parks. 

Officials attached signs to palm trees so they wouldn’t blow away.

About 150 people had to keep masks on while sheltering in Palm Beach County, which had a voluntary evacuation order for people living in homes that can’t withstand dangerous winds, said emergency management spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda.

Isaias was blamed for two deaths in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where it uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread flooding and small landslides over the weekend. 

The storm snapped trees and knocked out power Saturday in the Bahamas. 

Shelters were opened on Abaco island to help people still living in temporary structures since Dorian devastated the area, killing at least 70 people in September 2019.