Tropical Storm Ophelia is approaching hurricane status off the Southeast coast, with winds up to 70 mph. Eastern North Carolina has been issued a hurricane watch, and the storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and the possibility of tornadoes to the East Coast. The storm also poses a threat of life-threatening storm surge, high surf, and rip currents. Multiple games across the NFL and MLS could be impacted. People in coastal areas are advised to take this storm seriously.
Tropical Storm Ophelia is gaining strength as it approaches the mid-Atlantic coast, with a hurricane watch issued for parts of eastern North Carolina. The storm is expected to make landfall on Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region. North Carolina and Virginia have declared a state of emergency, and schools and events have been canceled in preparation. Ophelia could dump up to 7 inches of rain in some areas and cause storm surges of 3 to 5 feet. Climate change may contribute to the increased frequency of storms like Ophelia.
Hurricane Lee, a Category 1 storm with 80 mph winds, is approaching southeastern New England, with strong winds expected to reach around 50 mph in Maine. The storm is moving north-northeast at 20 mph and is described as "very large and dangerous" by the National Hurricane Center. Tropical-storm-force winds are extending outward up to 345 miles from the center of the storm. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been issued for various areas in New England and Atlantic Canada. Dangerous surf, rip currents, and heavy rainfall are expected, with the storm likely to weaken and become a post-tropical storm as it moves north.
Hurricane Idalia is rapidly intensifying and could potentially cause more damage in Tallahassee than previous hurricanes Michael and Hermine. The storm's track has shifted westward, increasing the danger level for the city and neighboring coastal counties. Tallahassee is under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning, while the coastal counties face a potentially deadly storm surge. The National Weather Service is urging residents to prepare for hurricane-strength winds and to get their storm supplies ahead of a Wednesday morning landfall. The city could experience wind gusts of 75 to 100 mph and a storm surge of 8-12 feet. Uber is offering free rides to state-approved evacuation shelters in certain counties.
Manatee County in Florida is opening self-serve sandbag stations in preparation for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Idalia, which has prompted hurricane and storm surge watches. The sandbag stations will provide up to 10 sandbags per household, and citizens are encouraged to know their evacuation level. While there are no evacuation orders currently in place, residents should stay updated through local news stations and Manatee County Government's social media channels.
Tropical Storm Bret is approaching the eastern Caribbean islands with a hurricane watch issued for St. Lucia. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Martinique and Dominica, where there is a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast. The storm is expected to be near hurricane strength as it passes through the islands. Another storm, Tropical Depression Four, is also spinning in the open Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical Storm Bret is approaching the eastern Caribbean at near-hurricane strength, with a hurricane watch issued for St. Lucia. The storm is expected to bring torrential downpours, landslides and flooding to the region. Airports, businesses, schools and offices have closed in St. Lucia and Dominica. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique, while a tropical storm watch has been issued for Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The storm is expected to lose strength once it enters the eastern Caribbean Sea and is forecast to dissipate by Saturday.
Tropical Depression 4 has formed in the central Atlantic, while Tropical Storm Bret is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to portions of the Leeward Islands. The depression is expected to remain east of the northern Leeward Islands through the weekend, while Bret is expected to move across the Lesser Antilles and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for St. Lucia, while a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dominica, St. Lucia, and Martinique.
