Tropical Depression Updates: North Carolina Watching Restlessly Over Two Weather Systems; Paths of Tropical Depression Traced, Rain and Flood Warnings Issued [MAPS, DETAILS]
Residents, business owner, and tourists along the coast of North Carolina are bracing for two systems that could bring floods. Labor Day plans and last-minute summer vacation plans cancelled.
Two tropical weather systems are closely being monitored by weather forecasters as well as residents, business owners, and beachgoers along the shores of North Carolina's Outer Banks. These tropical disturbances could bring heavy rain during the final busy weeks of summer, dampening late vacation plans and various interests in the area.
Forecasters are on close watch for a first system that threatens to become a full-fledged storm before it moves along the coast of North Carolina. This will bring about strong winds and heavy rains to barrier islands found along popular beaches in the area.
The second system is located along the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to hit the northern parts of Florida. This system could also strengthen into a storm later this week and could move towards the Atlantic coast.
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Hurricane experts from the National Hurricane Center in Miami said that it could be hard to predict the exact path of the tropical depression and therefore residents, travellers and business owners in the area are advised to remain cautious.
Severe rain and flood warnings
Experts predict that the coastal Dare County in North Carolina could experience winds of up to 45 mph with extreme gustiness and severe rains, which could cause flooding, especially along the low-lying areas until Wednesday. An emergency news alert was released.
Residents in Carteret County in the south were also told to monitor flooding and to regularly check for weather updates.
Those who live along the coast from Cape Lookout to the Oregon Inlet to the Outer Banks were given tropical storm warning alerts.
Current locations and paths of tropical depressions
Shane Kearns, meteorologist from the National Weather Service (NWS) in eastern North Carolina, reported that as of Monday night, the first tropical depression was spotted 125 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. This depression has sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving northwest. This is expected to develop into a tropical storm by Tuesday. Kearns said that anything is possible as of this time, but they are not seeing any kind of significant changes in the depression's strength.
The tropical depression along the Gulf of Mexico was last seen around 240 miles west along the Key West. This has maximum winds of 35 mph and is moving west. Weather experts expect that this depression could move back to the northeast in the next few days.
Residents and business owners prepare for the worst
Residents and shop owners in the Tampa-St. Petersburg areas of Florida are busy preparing for the worst. As early as Monday, they have been filling sandbags to distribute to residents in anticipation of the rains and floods.
Meanwhile, those who live in North Carolina's Outer Banks are concerned that the first depression would soak the area before the second depression hits. The area is very prone to flooding and erosion, especially the NC Highway 12, which is a main artery for motorists going from north to south.
Labor Day is fast approaching and with the systems threatening these areas, businesses have no choice but to cancel their special preparations for tourists who plan to visit.
And while NC keeps watch, hurricane watches are in place in the central Pacific for Hurricane Madeline, which is now a Category 3 storm located 630 miles off the east of Hilo, Hawaii. Madeline has top sustained winds of 115 mph as it moves west-northwest. Hurricane Lester is now a Category 4 storm and is located west of the southernmost tip of Baja California, Mexico. Lester has top sustained winds of up to 130 mph as it moves westward.
