More than 40 million Americans are at risk as the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas prepare for a continuation of severe weather this weekend. While damaging wind gusts are the main concern if storms develop, localized flash flooding could present an even larger hazard. This follows a Saturday marked by significant weather impacts across the East Coast, including flooding rain, wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, and scattered tornado reports.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill advised residents to adjust their weekend travel plans in anticipation of the incoming storms. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for all five New York City boroughs through Saturday afternoon, with officials cautioning that roads, basements, and subways could flood due to potential rain rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Flash flooding was reported across the region, inundating several major interstates and leading to high-water rescues for stranded motorists in Queens.
In addition to flooding, high wind gusts were recorded in multiple locations. Approximately 240,000 customers lost power at the peak of Saturday's storms, with Virginia experiencing the most outages, exceeding 64,000.
On Sunday, the severe weather is expected to shift southward across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas, preceding a cold front. A Level 2 out of 5 severe threat is forecast for areas including eastern North Carolina and Virginia, encompassing cities like Raleigh and Norfolk. The FOX Forecast Center warns that damaging winds will be the primary threat, but localized flash flooding could be more significant as the front may stall, allowing rainfall to accumulate. Rain totals could reach up to 3 inches in some areas, with 1 to 2 inches being more likely. Severe storms are anticipated to continue through Monday, with a Level 1 out of 5 threat remaining for much of eastern North Carolina.