Tropical Storm Hermine Updates: Strong Currents and Stiff Winds Rip Through Long Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; Cruise Ship 'Anthem of the Seas' Faced Storm in Sea; Path of Storm [MAPS, DETAILS]
Hermine rocks Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut, Long Island, and New York; state of emergencies issued while warnings still up in many areas.
Tropical Storm Hermine brought stiff winds and terrible rip currents in the area of eastern Massachusetts on Monday. There were reports that a cruise ship was spotted boldly facing the storm in the sea. Hermine downgraded from a hurricane to a storm, but still was as devastating as ever and affecting Labor Day celebrations in New York, Long Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, as well as Cape Cod and nearby islands.
Path of Storm Hermine
A National Hurricane Center update said that Hermine was expected to weaken on Monday night. The storm moved west-northwest with speeds of 7 mph. On Monday afternoon, its center was spotted around 200 miles southeast from the east of Long Island. It is expected to move northward towards the Atlantic by Tuesday and New England by Wednesday.
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"Anthem of the Seas" updates
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship " Anthem of the Seas"" was caught at sea and boldly faced the strong currents as it travelled from New Jersey to Bermuda. A passenger reported that they took a video of what happened and recalled that the ship swayed as it sailed through Hermine's edges.
The passenger also estimated the winds to be around 90 knots and mentioned that the dishes in the cruise ship's dining areas were moving all over the place. Most of the passengers reportedly felt sick because of the ship's erratic movements. Later, the same passenger posted on social media that the sea was calmer and the conditions inside the ship were better.
Representatives from Royal Caribbean released a statement regarding the condition of the ship and its passengers. The statement said that the ship was on its course to Bermuda and it was a safe ride.
"Anthem of the Seas" is not new to dangerous currents. It was able to turn around and return to New Jersey last February when hurricane-force winds from North Carolina impeded its journey. Four people were hurt due to this event.
Hermine warnings up
The areas along the Northeast coastline were advised to prepare for Hermine. This included Long Island from Fire Island Inlet towards Port Jefferson Harbor. Areas from New Haven, Connecticut to Block Island, Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, and also Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were likewise included in the warning. Forecasters told residents to expect high surf, rip currents, and heavy winds, which could be experienced until the middle of the week. Rain is not a worry; experts predict only 1.5 inches of rain.
Parts of Florida still with no power, Labor Day weekend ruined
More than 34,000 homes and establishments were left without power in Florida when Hermine struck. Hermine was still a Category 1 hurricane when it plowed through Florida.
Meanwhile, countless residents had their Labor Day weekend affected by Hermine. Due to warnings out in the sea, surfing, swimming, sailing, and other water activities were suspended in New York and other coastal areas on Sunday and Monday. The popular Steel Pier in Atlantic City was forced to shut down because of the storm on Saturday.
Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency for the Atlantic, Ocean and Cape May counties in New Jersey. Governor Larry Hogan issued a state of emergency for 12 counties in Maryland found along Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
