&w=3840&q=100)
US: Eastern Seaboard faces prolonged rainfall after weekend flood chaos
Following flash floods that disrupted transport, left vehicles stuck, and necessitated emergency rescues, the already flooded US Eastern Seaboard was prepared for further rain on Tuesday.
A flood warning remained in force for sections of New Jersey until Tuesday morning, and the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted that the slow-moving summer storm will continue to rain the Mid-Atlantic area throughout the middle of the week.
'A moisture-rich Summer-time airmass over much of the eastern/central U.S. will continue to lead to areas of scattered to widespread thunderstorms capable of heavy downpours and flash flooding,' the agency's forecaster stated.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
On Monday night, torrential rains flooded sections of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a state of emergency, asking residents to remain indoors.
More from World
Trump heads to Texas to survey devastation after July 4 floods kill 120
According to a CBS video footage, rescue workers in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, waded into surging floodwaters armed with red flotation devices after many cars got stuck due to the rapid surge.
Authorities throughout the area, even as far south as Virginia, have warned of dangerous driving conditions owing to the likelihood of flash floods.
The NWS advised vehicles encountering flooded roadways to 'turn around.'
'Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,' according to the report.
In New York City, social media users uploaded footage of dirty brown water spouting like a geyser in front of a subway station's turnstiles.
Multiple underground lines were either blocked or running with delays, while major traffic bottlenecks paralysed several of the city's key thoroughfares.
JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports temporarily suspended departures Monday night, forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights.
In Lancaster Pennsylvania, severe flash flooding prompted a disaster declaration, while emergency responders plucked people from flooded basements and conducted 16 water rescues.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'Intense rainfall dropped over 7 inches of rain in less than five hours,' the fire department in the county's Mount Joy Borough posted on Facebook.
Staten Island recorded between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain on Monday night, according to the New York borough's emergency notification system.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat running for mayor of New York, wrote on social media that the rapid flooding emphasized the need for climate-proofing the city.
'We must upgrade our infrastructure for this new climate reality,' he wrote.
The NWS said the storm would be concentrated 'across the southern Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians on Tuesday, before shifting northward' on Wednesday.
The latest bad weather follows historic Fourth of July flooding that devastated parts of central Texas, killing at least 131 people, including three dozen children, and leaving more than 100 people still missing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Alaska Earthquake: Tsunami warning issued after 7.3-magnitude quake; Another 'megatsunami' like 1958 on the way?
It seems history is on the verge of repeating itself. On July 16, a powerful 7.3‑magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska's Aleutian Peninsula, just south of Sand Point, triggering a tsunami warning that briefly spanned a 700‑mile stretch of southern coastline, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake occurred at approximately 12:37 pm local time (2037 GMT), with its epicenter located about 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of Sand Point, a small island community. The epicenter of the seismic event had a relatively shallow depth of 20.1 kilometers. The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued a tsunami warning for South Alaska and the Alaska peninsula after the quake, posting on X, "A Tsunami Warning has been issued for the Alaska Peninsula areas from the Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass. Cities included are Cold Bay, Sand Point, and Kodiak. We can say with reasonable confidence that the Kenai Peninsula Borough locations will not see impacts." Although the warning was later downgraded to an advisory, the quake reignited fears of another catastrophic 'megatsunami' similar to the infamous 1958 Lituya Bay event, when a gigantic wave surged more than 500 m in a fjord after a massive landslide. And although the warning has been replaced by an advisory now, the question remains – could such a megatsunami strike again? The July 16 quake and tsunami warning At 12:37 p.m. local time, the US Geological Survey recorded a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, centered about 50–54 miles south of Sand Point, at a depth of approximately 22 miles. The US Tsunami Warning Center promptly issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass, alerting residents to 'Expected or ongoing significant inundation', with advisories urging immediate evacuation inland or to high ground. Roughly an hour later, monitoring indicated no major wave formations, and officials downgraded the warning to an advisory, ultimately canceling the alert by mid‑afternoon. Throughout the alerts, key coastal communities, including Kodiak, Unalaska, King Cove, Cold Bay, and Homer, were urged to enact preparedness protocols. Why is Alaska tsunami‑prone? Alaska lies along the seismically active Pacific 'Ring of Fire', where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate. This tectonic setting has produced mega‑earthquakes, powerful underwater landslides, and frequent volcanic activity – all of them, prime ingredients for tsunami genesis. Additionally, Alaska's fjords and steep shoreline amplify tsunami risk. In 'near‑field' scenarios – earthquakes or landslides occurring just offshore – residents may have mere minutes to evacuate. Historical events such as the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake (magnitude 9.2), the 1946 Aleutian quake, and the 1957 Andreanof Islands quake highlight past Pacific‑wide tsunami impacts. Aftershocks and immediate effects Following the main shock, the US Geological Survey and Alaska Earthquake Center reported smaller aftershocks of magnitude 4.4 and 4.0 near Halibut Cove and Sand Point. These are typical of large seismic events and underline the potential for landslides, though no significant damage or injuries were reported. Tsunami buoy data also confirmed no dangerous waves sent across the North American coast, including no significant threats to Washington, Oregon, California, or beyond. As of now, eastern coastal areas remain outside the risk zone. The 1958 Lituya Bay 'megatsunami': What happened The 1958 Lituya Bay incident stands as the most extreme megatsunami recorded. A 7.8–8.3 quake triggered a massive 30 million m³ landslide into Gilbert Inlet, sending a towering wave that stripped trees up to 524 m (1,720 ft) above sea level. That wave crashed over a mile inland in places, obliterating boats and forest, and killing two residents. Scientists later confirmed that landslide-induced megatsunamis – not just tectonic ruptures – can generate such immense waves. Lituya Bay's steep-sided fjord environment is rare but not unique. Similar zones across Southeast and Southcentral Alaska remain vulnerable, especially as deglaciation removes natural slope support and increases landslide risk. Could history repeat itself? The objective answer to that question – yes. According to NASA Earth Observatory, the 1958 Lituya Bay megatsunami could happen again. Lituya Bay's geography, including its steep walls and connection to a fault line, makes it susceptible to future tsunamis. Geologic evidence suggests similar events have occurred in the past, and scientists estimate such events happen roughly every 25 years. Here's why: Tectonic setting: The Pacific and North American tectonic plates meet in this area, creating fault lines that frequently cause earthquakes, which can trigger landslides and tsunamis. Bay geometry: Lituya Bay's shape and depth contribute to the amplification of waves, making it prone to large-scale tsunami events. Geological evidence: Past landslides and tsunamis have left their mark on the bay's geology, indicating a history of similar events. Landslides: The 1958 event was triggered by a massive landslide into the bay. Similar landslides, potentially triggered by earthquakes, could occur again, generating another megatsunami. While the exact timing is unpredictable, the potential for another megatsunami in Lituya Bay is a real and ongoing concern. The bottom line 67 years after the fateful day in July and the devastation that followed, the recent earthquake in Alaska prompted a bone-chilling fear of history repeating itself. The July 16 Alaska earthquake was powerful enough to trigger region-wide tsunami warnings, and while immediate danger has subsided, it doesn't diminish Alaska's perpetual vulnerability to both tectonic quakes and catastrophic landslides. The region has seen several 7+ magnitude quakes since 2020, suggesting heightened seismicity. Going forward, the balance lies in honoring history, leveraging cutting‑edge monitoring, and ensuring local communities stay aware and prepared. Alaska may never eliminate risk entirely, but with robust maps, education, and early evacuation systems, it can transform instantaneous disasters into survivable events. Tsunami hits Japan after strong quake
Economic Times
5 hours ago
- Economic Times
Alaska earthquake of magnitude 7.3 hits near Sand Point, Tsunami warning issued
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday afternoon, July 16, that triggered a tsunami warning for several parts of the Alaskan archipelago. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 12:37 p.m. AKDT, about 54 miles southeast of Sand Point, Alaska. It originated 12 miles beneath the ocean surface. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed a tsunami following the Alaska earthquake and warned that impacts are expected along coastal warning applies to regions stretching from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass. Cities included in the warning area are Sand Point, Cold Bay, and Kodiak. The first tsunami wave is expected to reach Sand Point around 1:30 p.m. AKDT. Cold Bay and Kodiak may see waves arriving at approximately 2:25 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage clarified that Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley are not in immediate can produce a series of dangerous waves, with the first not always being the largest. Residents in the affected coastal regions are urged to move to higher ground immediately and stay informed through local After a major earthquake like the 7.3 magnitude one near Sand Point, Alaska, aftershocks are common. These smaller tremors can occur minutes, hours, or even days after the main quake. Residents should stay alert and follow guidance from local authorities and the US Geological Survey (USGS) for tsunami warning covers coastal regions from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, including Sand Point, Cold Bay, and Kodiak. People in these areas should evacuate to higher ground immediately and stay away from beaches and harbors until the official all-clear is given by the National Tsunami Warning Center. No. As of now, the National Weather Service has stated there is no tsunami threat to Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley. These areas are outside the current warning zone, but residents should still stay informed in case the situation changes.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Alaska earthquake: 7.3-magnitude quake near Sand Point triggers tsunami warning
A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, prompting a tsunami warning for parts of South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake occurred at approximately 12:37 pm local time (2037 GMT), with its epicenter located about 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of Sand Point, a small island community. The seismic event was relatively shallow, originating at a depth of 20.1 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. The National Weather Service in Anchorage posted on X, formerly Twitter: "A Tsunami Warning has been issued for the Alaska Peninsula areas from the Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass. Cities included are Cold Bay, Sand Point, and Kodiak. We can say with reasonable confidence that the Kenai Peninsula Borough locations will not see impacts." The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) in Palmer, Alaska, confirmed the occurrence of a tsunami and said that "some impacts are expected." The warning covered coastal regions from Kennedy Entrance—approximately 40 miles southwest of Homer—to Unimak Pass, about 80 miles northeast of Unalaska. No tsunami alerts were issued for areas outside of this range. Alaska lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The region has a history of major seismic events, including the catastrophic 9.2-magnitude quake in March 1964, which remains the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America. That quake devastated Anchorage and triggered tsunamis that impacted the Gulf of Alaska, the US west coast, and Hawaii, claiming more than 250 lives. In a more recent event, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck off the Alaskan Peninsula in July 2023, but no significant damage or tsunami was reported at that time. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and residents in affected coastal areas are advised to follow official guidance and remain alert to further updates. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates
