With the National Hurricane Center on high alert, the East Coast now faces an uncertain and potentially devastating weekend as what has been classified as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen churns its way through the Atlantic. Forecasters predict this storm system to develop into Tropical Storm Ophelia by Friday, directly affecting New England and the Eastern Seaboard as reported by Nbc Boston.
As the storm bears down on the United States, tropical storm warnings have been issued from coastal North Carolina to Delaware, and the center of the developing storm is estimated to be around 330 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, as of Thursday, according to CBS News Boston. While communities in the storm's path prepare for possible flooding and strong winds, officials are particularly concerned about storm surges reaching between 2 and 4 feet in certain areas.
The anticipated winds and rainfall totals from Ophelia have drawn comparisons to the similar tropical system that pummeled East Coast communities just a week ago. Though the heaviest rainfall and potential flooding are predicted to occur in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia, that has not stopped Massachusetts from bracing itself for a wet and windy weekend, as reported by CNN.
Another concerning aspect quickly becoming a storm to watch, Ophelia's track has experts urging residents in affected areas to closely follow updates on the storm and to prepare for possible evacuations if necessary. As the system continues to evolve, heavy rain could be expected to drench most of southern New England between Saturday and Monday, raising the risk of flooding in some areas that are still recovering from recent deluges per CBS News Boston.
New England residents are advised to stay tuned to their local weather channels for updates on the development and trajectory of Ophelia, and to take appropriate precautions in anticipation of the potential fury this storm may unleash upon communities along the East Coast.
