Hurricane Irene Could Impact Boston
August 25, 2011
Forecasters predict the Granite State could witness gusty winds that are intense enough to blow the shingles off the roofs of the homes this weekend, if Irene follows the projected track toward Boston.
According to Eric Wilhelm, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, in worst-case scenario, we could view wind gusts of more than 40 mph and along the immediate coastline, some area could experience sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph.
Those winds are powerful enough to topple over the trash caps and make them roll down the streets and poorly constructed structures could incur damages. However, Wilhelm added it is improbable the winds would cause plenty of damage; residents in the region should also take note of the 3 to 5 inches of rainfall that could fall in the coastal areas within a period of six to seven hours.
He said, the latest forecasts do predict that Hurricane Irene could be over Boston by Sunday evening.
Irene is projected to strike the Carolinas by Friday. Wind and rain will intensify across the eastern tip of South Carolina as well as eastern Carolina late on Friday through Saturday morning.
Strong winds of 100 to up to 130 mph are expected to pound the Outer Banks, North Carolina on Saturday afternoon through evening. Winds of such a strong force can down trees and inflict considerable damage to houses and other properties.
Dan Kottlowski, hurricane and tropical weather expert at AccuWeather, said that the Irene’s center passes just east of the Outer Banks, then the winds won’t be that strong.
As per Associated Press, Irene is the first hurricane projected to strike the U.S. in last three years.
The course of Hurricane Irene is quite similar to that of the Hurricane Bob, which made landfall in New England in 1991.
Eric Wilhelm stated that Irene is likely to miss Florida and strike further north in North Carolina Saturday evening. Regions such as Myrtle Beach could get some wind and rain, but will likely miss the hurricane’s eye.
Mary Stampone, a climatologist with the state, said the track of Hurricane Irene has moved toward the east, and the forecast for potential track has been extended to the greater Boston and New England regions.
Potential flooding could be witnessed in the low-lying areas of New Hampshire according to the latest forecasts, she stated. There is a likelihood of plenty of rain in the Tri-City area, Durham and the Seacoast. Intense winds could be seen in Manchester and Keene, she added. People should also keep an eye on rough costal seas during the weekend.
American Red Cross and New Hampshire emergency officials are already preparing shelters.
Persistent Rains Wreak Havoc in Many Parts of the United States
August 15, 2011
People living in many parts of the U.S. have had to endure record-setting temperatures this summer. To add insult to injury, the temps have cooled down but in return people are facing record-setting rainfall amounts and flooded homes and businesses.
A wide trough of thunderstorms containing large amounts of rain have slowly been moving their way into the Midwest and portions of the East Coast. In northeastern Ohio, already heavy rains and a forecast for more along the lakeshores could mean flooding for many counties. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for nearly every county in the northwestern portion of Ohio through today. A watch means that there is a chance for homes and businesses located in low lying, flood-prone areas to flood and that residents and business owners should be on guard.
In New York City, many streets and roadways were closed on the weekend due to flooding. There were many reports of motorists left stranded on city streets throughout the metro area as their vehicles were submerged in several feet of water. Residents of New York are being told not to take any chances on flooded streets and to exercise extreme caution when walking in flooded areas in the city.
Record downpours pounded Staten Island, flooding basements and stranding vehicles on the roads there. Many properties have been destroyed and a countless number of garages and basements become water-logged. The shock of finding their homes and businesses filled with water is causing many Staten Islanders to go into panic-mode as most feel helpless over what has occurred.
Things are not much brighter in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Heavy rains are in this week’s forecast after an already wet weekend. Flash flood watches have been put into effect for the southern portion of the state Monday and a flood advisory has been issued for the northwestern part of the small state. The rest of Connecticut is under a flood watch. The state has already received up to eleven inches of rain since the weekend and another two is expected early this week with some areas of the state expected to get even more.
