For US residents, the week before Christmas took an unexpected turn when a massive coastal storm swept through, bringing strong winds and torrential rain to the Atlantic Seaboard. Residents from New England to the Midwest are facing difficulties due to the disruption of their commutes caused by this sudden weather phenomenon.
A “blockbuster” coastal storm with drenching rainfall is causing worry for holiday activities. It has caused issues in many areas including the aviation sector. How brutal is this storm and what is its impact so far? Let’s see the updates.
A strong storm that is moving up the East Coast is expected to continue on its path, bringing with it torrential rain and strong winds. As cold air descends from Canada, experts warn of squally conditions extending from the Midwest to the Northeast. Heavy rain, strong winds, and their possible effects—beach erosion, coastal inundation, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions—are the main causes of concern.
The storm has caused havoc, with up to 16.32 inches of rain recorded close to McClellanville, South Carolina, and reports of wind gusts as high as 80 mph in North Carolina. There are potential issues for commuters in major cities such as Boston, New York City, and Providence, Rhode Island, particularly on Monday mornings.
Monday Commutes Can be a Bit Tricky
Residents living along the coast may face difficulties on Monday due to the expected heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 40–70 mph. This will affect Monday’s commutes from New Jersey to Maine. Forecasters warn that strong winds and heavy rain could cause major disruptions to travel. Strong winds may also cause travel restrictions for high-profile vehicles on certain bridges.
According to updates, up to five inches of rain fell in eastern New York and western Massachusetts during the heaviest rainstorm. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and city airports are gradually returning to normalcy, with only minor delays at JFK for departures, despite earlier weather-related delays.
At the height of the storm, tides in Charleston, South Carolina, surged to 9.52 feet, the fourth-highest level on record. In the Northeast alone, more than 600,000 utility customers have been impacted by power outages, rising streams and rivers in some areas of the Northeast due to saturated ground, and coastal flooding in the Southeast.
Updates for Commuters in New York
The mayor of New York City and its management office came up with a smart advisory plan to travellers during commuting hours. This travel advisory is focused on tackling the Blockbuster storm while maintaining a safe commute. Moreover, New York City Emergency Management also issued an emergency plan for flash floods.
Dedicated departments in New York City will also organize a service where they will be checking hundreds of basins. The inspection will offer ready-to-use tools that can be used during disastrous accidents caused by hazards such as fallen trees. During heavy storms, urban residents face many problems due to trees and other debris.
People who are traveling to the East Coast during Christmas week should be prepared for sudden spikes in wind speeds and possible storms. Monitoring the weather daily can be beneficial during this time. If gusty winds hinder the mobility in cities then travel delays can occur.
New Update: Blockbuster Storm leaves with clear skies ahead of evening commute
The impacted areas can look forward to a break from the extreme weather as the spectacular coastal storm slowly retreats, leaving behind clear skies. Even though there are still issues, things are getting better, which gives optimism for a more seamless shift to the evening commute and a return to more normal weather patterns.
With all the storms happening in the mid-week, December will still see typical wintery weather in the Northeast. The exit of the storm is expected to bring high pressure in Ohio and Tennessee resulting in dry air through the week. Watch this space for more information regarding the fallout from this weather event during Christmas week.