Post-Tropical Storm Andrea tracks along U.S. east coast
Saturday, June 8, 2013, 12:15 PM - Soaking rains that spawned numerous flood watches pushed some streams and creeks over their banks throughout the U.S. northeast, yet the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season sped up the Eastern Seaboard without causing major damage.
After bringing rain, strong winds and even tornadoes to Florida, Andrea lost most of its tropical characteristics late Friday into Saturday. The storm was packing winds that gusted up to almost 50 km/h, and officials warned of winds near gale force from New Jersey to Canada through Sunday.
The storm was blamed for one traffic-related death in Virginia.
Late Friday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami discontinued all tropical storm warnings, but cautioned about possible coastal and localized flooding from New Jersey to New England.
As of mid-morning Saturday, the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea were located near off the coast of Massachusetts, heading northeast at around 63 km/h. Officials in the Mid-Atlantic region and Northeast had prepared for the storm Friday night. New York City activated its flash flooding plan, and heavy rainfall resulted in a number of flash floods, causing some sections of roadways to be closed throughout Long Island.
A number of roads were flooded in the Boston area. A flight that left Boston on Friday night headed to Palm Beach was diverted to Newark International Airport in New Jersey after being struck by lightning. There were no injuries. The weather service reported that small streams and creeks in southeastern Pennsylvania were going over their banks Friday night.
New York City's airports experienced flight delays, and Connecticut reported numerous lane closures on highway as cars spun out amid heavy rain.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott had warned Thursday of the risk of tornadoes, and officials said that eight were confirmed across the state.
There were no major problems along the most vulnerable parts of the coast such as North Carolina's Outer Banks. Authorities in coastal Bertie County, N.C., said a school bus with 32 elementary students on board slid off the road and into a ditch about 8 a.m. No injuries were reported.
A Coast Guard cutter and HC-130 Hercules airplane were called to rescue four adults aboard a 35-foot sailboat about 65 miles off Charleston, S.C. The sailboat's engine was disabled during the storm and left rocking in 15-foot seas.
Andrea's remnants were hammering Canada's east coast this weekend.
Check out the latest Force of Nature for severe weather from around the world.
The Associated Press.
