Hurricane Hermine Updates, Maps and Photos: One Dead and Severe Damage in Florida, Power Out in Nearly 300,000 Homes; Warnings for New Jersey, New York
Hermine downgrades into a storm as it hits Florida; it will now plow New Jersey, New York, Georgia and North Carolina
Hurricane Hermine, the first hurricane to hit Florida in more than a decade, has been downgraded to a storm. However, even as Hermine showed signs of weakening, it has left severe damage to nearly 300,000 homes and business establishments and one death in Florida. Hermine is still dangerous and is now pushing towards the north east and is expected to affect Georgia, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
51 counties in Florida in state of emergency, one death
Before Hermine even hit the state, Governor Rick Scott has placed 51 counties in Florida under state of emergency. The hurricane had winds of 80 mph causing storm surges along the Florida coast.
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According to the National Weather Service, Cedar Key was one of the most affected with storm surges higher than 9.5 ft or 2.9 meters. A man died during the storm and reports say that he was sleeping inside a tent when a tree fell on it.
Reports said that Taylor County, with a population of more than 20,000, has suffered severe damage. In Tallahassee, around 70,000 homes have no electrical power. It was reported that Hermine has affected 60 percent of the state capital.
Path of Hermine
Hermine made landfall early Friday in Florida and swept the state as well as parts of Georgia. Hermine was downgraded into a storm as it moved towards South Carolina. Reports said that heavy rains caused flooding while strong winds led to falling trees and power outages in the state.
On the other hand, weather forecasters said that Hermine could regain strength and become a hurricane once more as it moves to the Atlantic Ocean. Officials advised New Jersey, New York City and Connecticut to brace for Hermine.
Hermine is predicted to hit New York on Sunday. Warnings have been set up for boats, swimmers and businesses along the coast of New Jersey and New York. Rough waters and unexpected rip currents are possible this Labor Day weekend.
New Jersey on tropical storm watch
A tropical storm watch for Hermine has been in effect in a number of counties in New Jersey. This includes counties of Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May and Eastern Burlington. Meanwhile, a hazardous weather warning is in effect for the remaining areas in New Jersey. It is predicted that Hermine will bring about strong winds and severe rain.
Labor Day preparations this weekend have been cancelled in most establishments in the state as forecasters predict that Hermine could bring about severe weather conditions from Saturday till Tuesday.
National Weather Service issued warnings for New Jersey saying that Hermine could bring about terrible weather conditions which could lead to impassable roads, hazardous conditions along bridges and elevated roadways, power interruptions, storm surges, strong rip currents, moderate beach erosion and even evacuations especially for those that are very vulnerable to water and wind hazards.
