New York Braces For Post-Tropical Cyclone Ophelia's Soaking And Surprises

New York City residents received a stern warning to vacate their basement apartments and prepare for higher ground as post-tropical cyclone Ophelia continued its assault on the East Coast with relentless rainfall on Sunday.

This recent addition to the hurricane season's roster is gradually losing steam, having landed near Emerald Isle, North Carolina with 70mph winds on Saturday. After battering New Jersey with 10ft waves and heavy rainfall, Ophelia is now wreaking havoc on New York City. In addition, Washington, DC officials are also on edge, preparing for possible floods by fortifying flood-prone areas with sandbags.

Zach Iscol, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner, issued a timely reminder, "While the warm summer days are behind us, New Yorkers should take precautions due to the forecast of high winds and rain during our first fall weekend." Iscol added, "This weekend's weather serves as a reminder that we are still in the midst of the Atlantic Hurricane season. It's an excellent time to review your preparedness plan for your home or business, particularly if you reside in flood-prone areas."

The press release included safety tips, such as advocating for the use of public transportation to prevent city dwellers from navigating flooded streets. Moreover, it urged basement apartment residents to ready themselves for potential dangerous flooding by seeking higher ground.

Rainfall forecasts for Midtown Manhattan, Prospect Park, and Harlem projected 1.81, 1.71, and 1.41 inches respectively through Sunday night, as stated by the National Hurricane Center. Anticipating additional rainfall of one to three inches on Monday morning, the agency issued warnings for the northern Mid-Atlantic, southern New York, and southern New England. The potential for localized flash, urban, and small stream flooding, along with isolated river flooding, loomed large.

The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted a steady flow of light to moderate rain through Sunday night, with the heaviest precipitation expected between 10 am and 6 pm. Lingering showers could extend into Monday. The press release cautioned, "Widespread areas of low-lying and poorly drained areas may flood during heavy rainfall, and isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out."

Additionally, the NWS raised concerns about coastal hazards, including "a high risk of life-threatening rip currents, large breaking waves, and rough surf at Atlantic-facing beaches."

As of Sunday, the primary hazards in the area included rainfall and surging waves in New York, along with elevated water levels caused by a storm surge in portions of the Chesapeake Bay. The storm-generated swells were predicted to result in perilous waves and rip currents.

Despite the inclement weather, New Yorkers demonstrated their resilience by flocking to the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Saturday evening. They braved the relentless rain to enjoy performances by artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lauryn Hill.

On Sunday morning, 2,600 people lost power in North Carolina, a number that nearly doubled in New Jersey. Ophelia, which was a tropical storm at near-hurricane strength upon its North Carolina landfall on September 24, caused widespread power outages and inundated coastal streets. States of emergency were declared in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.