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Hurricane Isaias lashes Carolinas amid warnings of life-threatening surges Tropical Storm Isaias lashes Carolinas, killing at least one
(about 5 hours later)
Hurricane Isaias has blasted ashore in North Carolina, battering coastal areas with heavy rains and winds of up to 85mph (140km/h). Tropical Storm Isaias has brought tornadoes and heavy rains to the US east coast after making landfall in North Carolina as a hurricane.
It made landfall near the border with South Carolina at 23:10 EDT (03:10 GMT Tuesday), causing flooding and leaving thousands of homes without power. At least one person was killed when a tornado struck a mobile home park, officials said.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of "the danger of life-threatening storm surge". The National Hurricane Center (NHC) also warned of "the danger of life-threatening storm surge".
The storm is now headed towards Virginia, New Jersey and New York. Isaias - the ninth named storm of the year - is now headed towards Virginia, New Jersey and New York.
Isaias - the ninth named storm of the year - was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting islands in the Caribbean last week, but was recategorised as a category-one hurricane as it approached the Carolinas on Monday. Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting islands in the Caribbean last week, but was re-categorised as a category-one hurricane as it approached the Carolinas on Monday.
The NHC says it is now moving quickly up the eastern seaboard. It was then downgraded again to a tropical storm, but storm surge warnings remain in effect along the coast.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who on Friday declared a state of emergency, urged residents to be on the alert. Strong winds, with gusts reaching hurricane force, are expected all along the Mid-Atlantic coast and as far as New England on Tuesday.
"North Carolinians have had to dig deep in recent months to tap into our strength and resilience during the pandemic," he said on Monday. The NHC says it is now moving quickly up the eastern seaboard. As of Tuesday morning, local time, the centre of the storm is moving across south-eastern Virginia with strong winds, heavy rains and the threat of tornadoes, according to the NHC.
"But with this storm on the way, we have to dig a little deeper. Let's keep each other safe from the wind and water as well as from the virus." North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who on Friday declared a state of emergency, has urged residents to be on the alert.
Mr Cooper said the state was equipped to open storm shelters where people could socially distance. Speaking to ABC's Good Morning America programme on Tuesday, Mr Cooper said some 355,000 residents were without power. He confirmed at least one death and a number of injuries after a tornado hit a mobile home park in the north-eastern part of the state.
Isaias was later downgraded to a tropical storm. However, further north, New York City is preparing for storm surges. "All in all this storm got in [and] got out pretty quickly and that's a good sign for potential river flooding which we hope will not be serious," Mr Cooper said.
"We're of course saddened by the one fatality that we know, at least, that we have, but we know overall [with] this storm moving quickly, that the damage was not any way as great as it could have been."
The governor said things were a "little chaotic right now" but that the state was able to handle the situation. He also noted North Carolina was able to follow social distancing measures in relief efforts where needed.
State officials in regions preparing for hurricanes this season have also been grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations.State officials in regions preparing for hurricanes this season have also been grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations.
Over the weekend the storm churned past Florida.Over the weekend the storm churned past Florida.
In the Dominican Republican and Puerto Rico, Isaias killed at least two people. It uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides.In the Dominican Republican and Puerto Rico, Isaias killed at least two people. It uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides.
Facing a natural disaster in a pandemicFacing a natural disaster in a pandemic
US disaster agencies have updated preparedness and evacuation guidance in light of Covid-19.US disaster agencies have updated preparedness and evacuation guidance in light of Covid-19.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends families add Covid-19 items to a disaster "go kit" that can be taken in an emergency situation:The Centers for Disease Control recommends families add Covid-19 items to a disaster "go kit" that can be taken in an emergency situation:
Here are some key guidelines for protecting yourself against Covid-19 if you must evacuate to a shelter:Here are some key guidelines for protecting yourself against Covid-19 if you must evacuate to a shelter: