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| Isaias Live Updates: Fires, Flooding and Tornadoes as Storm Charges North | Isaias Live Updates: Fires, Flooding and Tornadoes as Storm Charges North |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Isaias slammed the Atlantic Coast overnight with storm surges and winds as fast as 85 miles per hour, spawning tornadoes and leaving a trail of fires and hundreds of thousands of people without power. | Isaias slammed the Atlantic Coast overnight with storm surges and winds as fast as 85 miles per hour, spawning tornadoes and leaving a trail of fires and hundreds of thousands of people without power. |
| The storm, which made landfall on Monday night in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., as a Category 1 hurricane, weakened as it pushed through North Carolina and Virginia on Tuesday morning. At 11 a.m. Eastern its center was over eastern Maryland, about 20 miles from Baltimore, and headed rapidly north-northeast toward Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia. | The storm, which made landfall on Monday night in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., as a Category 1 hurricane, weakened as it pushed through North Carolina and Virginia on Tuesday morning. At 11 a.m. Eastern its center was over eastern Maryland, about 20 miles from Baltimore, and headed rapidly north-northeast toward Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia. |
| Forecasters warn that Isaias will continue to bring powerful winds, heavy rains and tornadoes as it continues marching north toward New York and New Jersey and into New England. | Forecasters warn that Isaias will continue to bring powerful winds, heavy rains and tornadoes as it continues marching north toward New York and New Jersey and into New England. |
| At least one person was killed after a tornado touched down in Bertie County, N.C., and caused significant damage to a neighborhood there, the authorities said. | At least one person was killed after a tornado touched down in Bertie County, N.C., and caused significant damage to a neighborhood there, the authorities said. |
| The National Hurricane Center warned early Tuesday of life-threatening storm surge flooding along North Carolina’s coast and nearby waterways, adding that widespread, sustained tropical-storm force winds and gusts would affect much of the Mid-Atlantic coast through the day. | The National Hurricane Center warned early Tuesday of life-threatening storm surge flooding along North Carolina’s coast and nearby waterways, adding that widespread, sustained tropical-storm force winds and gusts would affect much of the Mid-Atlantic coast through the day. |
| Officials said that the storm’s rapid pace, moving nearly 35 m.p.h., stood to help limit river flooding and allowed the authorities to mobilize swiftly in assessing the toll. | Officials said that the storm’s rapid pace, moving nearly 35 m.p.h., stood to help limit river flooding and allowed the authorities to mobilize swiftly in assessing the toll. |
| “All in all, this storm got in, got out pretty quickly,” Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina said in an interview on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. Because of that, he added, the damage was not “as great as it could have been.” | “All in all, this storm got in, got out pretty quickly,” Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina said in an interview on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. Because of that, he added, the damage was not “as great as it could have been.” |
| Tornadoes had already landed in parts of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia overnight, the center said. Tornado threats would continue north along the coast and into New England overnight. The storm was projected to pass close to Philadelphia around 2 p.m., and the New York City region was under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. | Tornadoes had already landed in parts of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia overnight, the center said. Tornado threats would continue north along the coast and into New England overnight. The storm was projected to pass close to Philadelphia around 2 p.m., and the New York City region was under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. |
| Heavy rainfall was already battering parts of the East Coast on Tuesday morning, and Isaias could cause flash flooding around much of the Mid-Atlantic region, the center said, with “potentially life-threatening urban flooding” possible in Washington, Baltimore and other cities along and just west of I-95. | Heavy rainfall was already battering parts of the East Coast on Tuesday morning, and Isaias could cause flash flooding around much of the Mid-Atlantic region, the center said, with “potentially life-threatening urban flooding” possible in Washington, Baltimore and other cities along and just west of I-95. |
| Officials in North Carolina and Virginia were working early Tuesday to assess the damage, which included reports of downed trees, damaged buildings and coastal flooding. The storm had delivered only a glancing blow to Florida as it skirted the coast there, with officials expressing relief that it failed to cause the level of damage they had feared. Georgia was largely spared as well. | Officials in North Carolina and Virginia were working early Tuesday to assess the damage, which included reports of downed trees, damaged buildings and coastal flooding. The storm had delivered only a glancing blow to Florida as it skirted the coast there, with officials expressing relief that it failed to cause the level of damage they had feared. Georgia was largely spared as well. |
| Forecasters warned that Isaias, which is written as Isaías in Spanish and pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs, remained dangerous as it hurtled toward the northeast. Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency for the entire state that began at 5 a.m., and he also closed state offices. | Forecasters warned that Isaias, which is written as Isaías in Spanish and pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs, remained dangerous as it hurtled toward the northeast. Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency for the entire state that began at 5 a.m., and he also closed state offices. |
| A tropical storm warning remained in effect as far north as Martha’s Vineyard. Forecasters expected the storm to gradually weaken as it advances along the Mid-Atlantic states during the day on Tuesday before crossing into Canada at night. | A tropical storm warning remained in effect as far north as Martha’s Vineyard. Forecasters expected the storm to gradually weaken as it advances along the Mid-Atlantic states during the day on Tuesday before crossing into Canada at night. |
| The authorities in Bertie County, N.C., were assessing the devastation caused by one tornado caused by Isaias that ripped through a neighborhood overnight. Television footage showed a rural patch of mobile homes that had been eviscerated, leaving streaks of debris. One home had been reduced to splintered wood and metal, piled with kitchen appliances, shredded furniture and laundry. | The authorities in Bertie County, N.C., were assessing the devastation caused by one tornado caused by Isaias that ripped through a neighborhood overnight. Television footage showed a rural patch of mobile homes that had been eviscerated, leaving streaks of debris. One home had been reduced to splintered wood and metal, piled with kitchen appliances, shredded furniture and laundry. |
| Governor Cooper said in a television appearance on Tuesday that one person was killed and “a number of people” were injured after the tornado hit a mobile home park in Windsor, a town in the northeast corner of the state. The authorities said that at least 20 people had been hospitalized. | Governor Cooper said in a television appearance on Tuesday that one person was killed and “a number of people” were injured after the tornado hit a mobile home park in Windsor, a town in the northeast corner of the state. The authorities said that at least 20 people had been hospitalized. |
| The severity of the injuries and the extent of the damage remained unclear. “We are asking that our community allow us time to gather and properly verify more information from the various law enforcement agencies and first responders still working to secure the area,” local officials wrote in a post on the county government’s Facebook page. | The severity of the injuries and the extent of the damage remained unclear. “We are asking that our community allow us time to gather and properly verify more information from the various law enforcement agencies and first responders still working to secure the area,” local officials wrote in a post on the county government’s Facebook page. |
| Officials were also trying to take stock of the aftermath across the state. “We’ve had a number of tornadoes,” Mr. Cooper, a Democrat, said on “Good Morning America.” “I’m not sure of the count yet.” | Officials were also trying to take stock of the aftermath across the state. “We’ve had a number of tornadoes,” Mr. Cooper, a Democrat, said on “Good Morning America.” “I’m not sure of the count yet.” |
| With storm-force winds extending out 140 miles from its center and sustained winds of 70 m.p.h. near its core, Isaias is disrupting electricity service to hundreds of thousands of customers in its path. | With storm-force winds extending out 140 miles from its center and sustained winds of 70 m.p.h. near its core, Isaias is disrupting electricity service to hundreds of thousands of customers in its path. |
| As of 11:30 a.m. Eastern time, about 245,000 utility customers in eastern North Carolina and another 305,000 in Virginia, mainly in the Tidewater region and the Delmarva Peninsula, were without power, according to Poweroutage.us, a website that tracks and aggregates reports from utilities. Outages were spreading across southern New Jersey, affecting 175,000 customers, and more than 200,000 customers in Maryland, Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania were blacked out. | |
| Storms can disrupt power in a number of ways. Strong wind gusts can sometimes snap cables and poles directly, though utilities try to build and maintain their infrastructure to be wind-resistant. Often the culprit is a broken tree limb or debris from a building that strikes a power line, or a skidding vehicle hitting a pole. Lightning strikes can damage equipment, and so can wind-driven rain or flash floodwaters. | Storms can disrupt power in a number of ways. Strong wind gusts can sometimes snap cables and poles directly, though utilities try to build and maintain their infrastructure to be wind-resistant. Often the culprit is a broken tree limb or debris from a building that strikes a power line, or a skidding vehicle hitting a pole. Lightning strikes can damage equipment, and so can wind-driven rain or flash floodwaters. |
| Downed power lines can remain dangerous even when the lights nearby seem to be out, and wet conditions add to the danger. Utility companies like Dominion Energy warn the public to stay at least 30 feet away, and not to attempt to move them. | |
| Loss of off-site power caused one reactor at the Brunswick nuclear power plant in Southport, N.C., to automatically shut down overnight, according to a Nuclear Regulatory Commission notice. The plant’s other reactor was unaffected. The report said safety systems worked as intended and the impact of the shutdown was minimal. | Loss of off-site power caused one reactor at the Brunswick nuclear power plant in Southport, N.C., to automatically shut down overnight, according to a Nuclear Regulatory Commission notice. The plant’s other reactor was unaffected. The report said safety systems worked as intended and the impact of the shutdown was minimal. |
| The projected path of the storm has shifted slightly westward on Tuesday, giving New York City and the surrounding areas a slight reprieve from the heaviest expected rainfall. | The projected path of the storm has shifted slightly westward on Tuesday, giving New York City and the surrounding areas a slight reprieve from the heaviest expected rainfall. |
| But the shift has also increased the chance of severe weather in the region, including the possibility of “weak, brief” tornadoes, said Matthew Wunsch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. A tornado watch is in effect until 4 p.m. for New York City, Long Island, much of New Jersey and parts of Connecticut. | But the shift has also increased the chance of severe weather in the region, including the possibility of “weak, brief” tornadoes, said Matthew Wunsch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. A tornado watch is in effect until 4 p.m. for New York City, Long Island, much of New Jersey and parts of Connecticut. |
| Even with the worst rain falling to the west, the New York City area could still see some heavy bands of rainfall pass through in the morning and afternoon, Mr. Wunsch said. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, with sustained speeds of 35 to 45 m.p.h. and gusts over 60 m.p.h., he said, and coastal flooding is expected in the evening and through tomorrow. | Even with the worst rain falling to the west, the New York City area could still see some heavy bands of rainfall pass through in the morning and afternoon, Mr. Wunsch said. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, with sustained speeds of 35 to 45 m.p.h. and gusts over 60 m.p.h., he said, and coastal flooding is expected in the evening and through tomorrow. |
| Mr. Wunsch said the fast-moving storm was likely to inflict far less damage overall than Hurricane Sandy did in October 2012. “Sandy was such a large-scale event, and it happened over such a long period of time,” he said. “It was just a different beast altogether.” | Mr. Wunsch said the fast-moving storm was likely to inflict far less damage overall than Hurricane Sandy did in October 2012. “Sandy was such a large-scale event, and it happened over such a long period of time,” he said. “It was just a different beast altogether.” |
| Even so, officials in New York City were bracing for the bad weather and urging residents to be vigilant for wind, rain and power outages. Beaches were closed on Tuesday. | Even so, officials in New York City were bracing for the bad weather and urging residents to be vigilant for wind, rain and power outages. Beaches were closed on Tuesday. |
| Gov. Phillip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency and asked people to stay off the roads and to secure loose furniture and other items that could be blown around by the high winds. He said “hundreds of thousands” of utility customers could lose power in the state, depending on the severity of the wind gusts and the specific track of the storm. | |
| The southern end of the state was already being hit Tuesday morning, with a tornado reported in Strathmere in Cape May County. | |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said in a statement that the state had rescue teams standing by with boats and high-water vehicles in areas that could be hardest hit by the storm. The state had also sent out water pumps, chain saws, sandbags and bottled water, he said, noting that up to six inches of rain could fall in some areas. | |
| Storm shelters in North Carolina, where Hurricane Isaias made landfall late Monday, prepared to deal with a dual threat from severe weather and the coronavirus by screening for symptoms of the virus and socially distancing people who took shelter. | Storm shelters in North Carolina, where Hurricane Isaias made landfall late Monday, prepared to deal with a dual threat from severe weather and the coronavirus by screening for symptoms of the virus and socially distancing people who took shelter. |
| “Our state has weathered our fair share of storms in recent years,” Gov. Roy Cooper said on Sunday. “We know how to plan, prepare and respond when it’s over. Nothing about that has changed, but this time, we’re going to have to do it with a mask on.” | “Our state has weathered our fair share of storms in recent years,” Gov. Roy Cooper said on Sunday. “We know how to plan, prepare and respond when it’s over. Nothing about that has changed, but this time, we’re going to have to do it with a mask on.” |
| The state’s Department of Public Safety also urged residents to bring their own blankets and bedding, and asked people to stay at motels or with relatives if possible. Shelters will serve meals in sealed containers rather than in typical serving lines. | The state’s Department of Public Safety also urged residents to bring their own blankets and bedding, and asked people to stay at motels or with relatives if possible. Shelters will serve meals in sealed containers rather than in typical serving lines. |
| Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey also urged residents to take shelter, but not to break social distancing guidelines by staying with large groups of friends or relatives. | Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey also urged residents to take shelter, but not to break social distancing guidelines by staying with large groups of friends or relatives. |
| “I’m not a fan of hurricane parties,” Mr. Murphy said on Monday, referring to the events that became something of a tradition in Florida during minor storms. “If it’s a hurricane party, you’re inside. It just doesn’t make sense, folks. It doesn’t end well. And we know that.” | “I’m not a fan of hurricane parties,” Mr. Murphy said on Monday, referring to the events that became something of a tradition in Florida during minor storms. “If it’s a hurricane party, you’re inside. It just doesn’t make sense, folks. It doesn’t end well. And we know that.” |
| In recent weeks as the coronavirus has been resurgent in many parts of the country, experts and politicians alike have implored people to protect themselves and others by always wearing a face mask in public. | In recent weeks as the coronavirus has been resurgent in many parts of the country, experts and politicians alike have implored people to protect themselves and others by always wearing a face mask in public. |
| Does that apply when you have to be out in the gusting wind and driving rain of a tropical storm? Our health columnist Tara Parker-Pope says, probably not: Face masks aren’t as effective when they are wet. | Does that apply when you have to be out in the gusting wind and driving rain of a tropical storm? Our health columnist Tara Parker-Pope says, probably not: Face masks aren’t as effective when they are wet. |
| For one thing, it’s much harder to breathe through a wet mask than a dry one, Ms. Parker-Pope notes. And on top of that, a moist or wet mask doesn’t filter as well as a dry mask. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends mask-wearing in general, says they should not be worn when doing things that may get the mask wet. | For one thing, it’s much harder to breathe through a wet mask than a dry one, Ms. Parker-Pope notes. And on top of that, a moist or wet mask doesn’t filter as well as a dry mask. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends mask-wearing in general, says they should not be worn when doing things that may get the mask wet. |
| It doesn’t take a tropical storm to drench a mask, of course. They can become soaked with condensation from your breath or sweat from your face, and some people think of wetting them deliberately to cool off in hot weather. But the harm done is the same, wherever the moisture comes from. | It doesn’t take a tropical storm to drench a mask, of course. They can become soaked with condensation from your breath or sweat from your face, and some people think of wetting them deliberately to cool off in hot weather. But the harm done is the same, wherever the moisture comes from. |
| A paper surgical mask that gets soaked should probably be discarded, Ms. Parker-Pope advises, but a cloth mask can be washed, dried and re-used. | A paper surgical mask that gets soaked should probably be discarded, Ms. Parker-Pope advises, but a cloth mask can be washed, dried and re-used. |
| When rain is coming down in buckets, social distancing is not likely to be a problem, and any viral particles exhaled by an infected person probably would be quickly diluted by gusting wind and rain. So there is little need to wear a mask out in a rainstorm, Ms. Parker-Pope notes: “In fact, you should take it off and keep it dry, so if you need to duck into a store to wait out the storm, you have a dry mask to wear indoors.” | When rain is coming down in buckets, social distancing is not likely to be a problem, and any viral particles exhaled by an infected person probably would be quickly diluted by gusting wind and rain. So there is little need to wear a mask out in a rainstorm, Ms. Parker-Pope notes: “In fact, you should take it off and keep it dry, so if you need to duck into a store to wait out the storm, you have a dry mask to wear indoors.” |
| Reporting was contributed by Johnny Diaz, Patrick J. Lyons, Tara Parker-Pope, Rick Rojas, Daniel Victor, Will Wright, Alan Yuhas and Mihir Zaveri | Reporting was contributed by Johnny Diaz, Patrick J. Lyons, Tara Parker-Pope, Rick Rojas, Daniel Victor, Will Wright, Alan Yuhas and Mihir Zaveri |