AccuWeather is issuing an advanced warning for a developing tropical wind and rainstorm expected to bring major coastal flooding, beach erosion, and power outages to the East Coast from Friday through Monday.
AccuWeather meteorologists are urging residents to prepare now for significant impacts, despite the storm likely never receiving an official name from the government.
Major Coastal Flooding and Erosion Likely
The storm is expected to develop off the East Coast of the United States on Friday, with prolonged coastal flooding identified as the primary risk. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are highlighted as especially vulnerable following severe erosion from a previous storm.
“Prolonged coastal flooding is the primary risk which could be significant in some areas,” said AccuWeather’s Lead Hurricane Expert, Alex DaSilva. “Several inches of rain, gusty winds, and beach erosion can also occur regardless of tropical development.”
The potential for major impacts is heightened because the storm is forecast to occur toward the end of the ‘king tides,’ which already feature tides running above historical averages. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter warned that a slow-moving, relentless storm producing multiple days of strong onshore winds could cause “coastline-altering damage, with some beaches no longer existing, major damage to homes near the coast, overwash of roads and destruction of boardwalks.”
Heavy rain is most likely to affect the Carolinas, eastern Virginia, and southeastern Maryland on Saturday, extending toward the eastern mid-Atlantic and southern New England by Sunday.
Advanced Warning Ahead of Government Alerts
AccuWeather is stressing the significant, potential impacts now, noting that the government has only identified coastal flood watches for a small portion of the area at risk and has not yet identified a risk zone for tropical development.
“While there remains various scenarios for the storm’s track and intensity—each critical to determining the severity of impacts—it is important to point out that there is a risk the tropical wind and rainstorm could be remembered for producing major coastal flooding and significant beach erosion,” Porter added. He also noted that areas susceptible to sound-side or bayside flooding could face a serious risk due to prolonged easterly winds.
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