published on August 17, 2024 in Quick Update

Hermine downgraded to tropical storm, travels toward NYC

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Hurricane Hermine weakened into a tropical storm after making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area early Friday — bringing soaking rain, high winds and thousands of power outages.

The US National Hurricane Center said the storm’s maximum sustained winds decreased from 80 mph to near 70 mph with additional weakening forecast as the system moves north-northeast at almost 14 mph.

Hermine, the first hurricane to hit Florida in more than three decades, is expected to move into the Carolinas and up the East Coast with the potential for drenching rain and major flooding.

Tropical storm warnings remained for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia and up through North Carolina.

“This motion is expected to continue today and Saturday,” the National Hurricane Center said.

“On the forecast track, the center of Hermine should continue to move farther inland across southeastern Georgia today and into the Carolinas tonight and Saturday.”

Starting late Saturday, the storm could impact the New York City area — with effects lasting through Labor Day and into Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

Moderate to major coastal flooding is possible, along with heavy rain and strong winds, depending on Hermine’s track and strength.

The high Saturday will be near 79 with a northeast wind of up to 14 mph, according to the weather service.

There will be a 20 percent chance of rain Saturday night, with a low of about 65 and winds picking up to about 16 mph.

Sunday will have a 30 percent chance of rain with a high near 75 — and winds from 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Rain is likely later in the day with precipitation amounts of up to a half-inch.

There will be a 40 percent chance of rain on Labor Day.

By about 7 a.m. Friday, outer bands from Tropical Storm Hermine dumped large amounts of rain across the Tampa Bay area.

The pounding rain caused flooding in many areas of Tampa, St. Petersburg and coastal regions in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Georgia Power reported that more than 30,000 of its customers were without power shortly before dawn as Hermine rolled across the southern section of the state.

Hermine hit just east of St. Marks as a Category 1 hurricane around 1:30 a.m. with winds around 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Storm surges of up to 12 feet menaced a wide swath of the coast and an expected drenching of up to 10 inches of rain carried the danger of flooding along the storm’s path over land, including the state capital, Tallahassee, which hadn’t been hit by a hurricane since Kate in 1985.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the New Jersey coast with rough surf and high winds expected this weekend.

The National Weather Service said minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible around high tides starting late Saturday — depending on the path that Hermine takes.

With Post wires

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