Florence Remnants Swamp The Northeast

Florence is hard to recognize now, but its remnants are still powering a soggy mess across the East. Leftover showers and downpours are still packing quite a punch today, bringing a threat of flooding to Northeast Corridor.  

The remnant of Florence is sliding through New England this afternoon, bringing heavy rain along the entire I-95 corridor from the Nation’s Capital to Boston. Flood Watches and Flash Flood Warnings stretch along the entire I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, including the Delaware Valley and the Great New York City area.

Flash flooding has been reported in the greater Boston area, central and eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire after several inches of rain fell late this morning. Another inch or two of rainfall will be likely this afternoon across eastern and southern New England, keeping the risk of flooding high.

Florence’s remnants will finally sweep off the Northeast Coast later tonight, but it will still bring lingering rain showers and local downpours through Wednesday morning along the Atlantic Seaboard from the Carolinas to Cape Cod. Drier weather will follow the Florence’s departure as an autumn cold front makes its way into New England before stalling over the Mid-Atlantic. Highs on Thursday will only be in the upper 60s and low 70s on Thursday across New England, before a strong warm front returns summer to the Northeast on Friday.

The impacts of Florence have been nothing short of incredible. Emerald Isle, N.C., has seen more than 40 inches of rain, with Elizabethtown, N.C., picking up more than 35 inches. With more than 20 inches from Florence, Wilmington, N.C., has already surpassed its annual rainfall record – despite three-and-a-half months to go in the year! Wilmington, N.C., also received a wind gust of 105 mph from Florence.
 
Twenty-three fatalities have been reported directly or indirectly related to Florence. As of early Tuesday morning, Duke Energy is reporting more than 220,000 customers remain without power in North Carolina alone. At its peak early Saturday, power outages were more than 480,000.
 
Widespread flooding is expected to be an issue for days if not weeks across southeastern North Carolina, even after the rain stops. Numerous rivers are expected to crest near or above record flood levels, inundating everything in their path. The Northeast Cape Fear River at Burgaw, N.C., is already exceeding its record stage and it won’t drop below that level for several days. Even smaller streams are turning into raging rivers that are covering roadways and flooding homes.
 
Remember, it takes less than 6 inches of water to sweep away a vehicle, and even less than that to sweep you off your feet. If you come across water in the road, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”