A potent storm wreaked havoc along the mid-Atlantic coast on Monday morning, unleashing intense rain and thunderstorms. Flood alerts blanketed a vast region from Virginia to Maine, affecting 59 million people. The storm left 200,000 homes and businesses without power, creating chaos for holiday travelers as airports grappled with flight delays and cancellations.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center issued a warning of a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Tuesday. The accompanying heavy rain posed a significant threat, particularly to localized areas, putting urban areas, roads, and small streams at the highest risk of flash flooding.
Over the weekend, the same storm system battered Florida and the Carolinas, bringing strong winds and torrential rain. Charleston set a daily record on Sunday with 3.86 inches of rainfall, while Gainesville, Florida, recorded over 7 inches.
The East Coast is grappling with the aftermath, as PowerOutage.us reported over 250,000 people in New England and New York without power as of 8 a.m. In New York City, a travel advisory is in effect due to flooded roads, power outages, and high winds on bridges. The city’s emergency management office warned of “imminent” flash flooding in Manhattan and the Bronx, urging residents to avoid basements and low-lying areas. Mayor Eric Adams advised caution during the morning commute, recommending the use of mass transit and suggesting people stay off the roads if possible.
Nationwide, more than 500 delays and over 370 cancellations have been recorded, a number expected to rise as Monday progresses. This comes after a weekend that witnessed a staggering 10,000 delays and nearly 200 cancellations. With the Christmas holiday just a week away, millions of travelers are facing potential disruptions.
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The threat of heavy rain is expected to subside by Tuesday as the system moves farther into Canada by Monday evening. Additionally, lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes and upslope snow over parts of the northern and central Appalachians are anticipated from Monday through Wednesday, according to the weather service. The heaviest snowfall on Monday is predicted for parts of the central Appalachians, southwest of Lake Michigan in Michigan and Indiana, and along the central and eastern shores of Lake Erie in Ohio and New York. Forecasters anticipate the lake-effect snow to taper off on Tuesday and come to an end over the upper Great Lakes.