WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – A powerful Atlantic storm strengthened yesterday afternoon after passing over North Carolina’s Outer Banks en route to the US Middle Atlantic coast, where it was expected to spoil the Labor Day holiday weekend with high winds, soaking rains and surging seas.
The storm, dubbed Hermine and classified as a Category 1 hurricane until it lost power while cutting across Florida and Georgia, was expected to push slowly up the coast before stalling off New Jersey, where it could linger for days.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect Hermine to turn to the northeast and decrease its forward speed last night. Winds will again achieve hurricane force of more than 74 mph (119 kph) today, they said.
“It’s going to sit offshore and it is going to be a tremendous coastal event with a dangerous storm surge and lots of larger waves probably causing significant beach erosion, for the next few days,” said Daniel Brown, senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in three coastal counties of the state, which was devastated by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
To the south, Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared a limited state of emergency for Sussex County, which includes the coastal resorts of Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach.
