The past couple of weeks, on the Eastern Coast of the United States, has seen incredible and record-setting rain fall. The cause: Hurricane Joaquin, which never technically hit the continental United States, but did send plenty of moisture that direction. The following are some big news stories from the area, as it relates to this weather event.
- The Daily Progress, a newspaper out of Charlottesville, Virginia, reported on Friday, that schools closed early, and that the Sheriff’s office was distributing sandbags to citizens, in anticipation of the 4 inches of rain that was expected to fall that day.
- Navytimes.com reported that 13,000 sandbags were being filled at the worlds largest naval base (Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia) in preparation of the rain that was expected to hit the area.
- Weather.com reported that parts of Savannah, Georgia were on flash flood watch through Saturday night. In addition, parts of Highway 80 were closed on Friday in preparation of possible flooding.
- Scientific America reported that President Obama had approved federal disaster relief for South Carolina. Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and the Carolina’s were all declared states of emergency. In additional, the storm caused large ocean swells, which is eroding beaches in New Jersey and New York areas.
- The National Weather Service reported that 11.5 inches of rain fell on Saturday in Charleston, South Carolina, which broke the record of 10.52 inches set September 21st, 1998.
- Accuweather.com reported on Monday that rain fell in the 12 to 24 inches range in North and South Carolina.
- CBS Live at Five News out of Charleston, South Carolina reported that many area schools, child care centers, government offices, business, and even special events have been closed or postponed Monday, due to significant flooding. The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that there have been three weather-related fatal automobile accidents and 439 traffic collisions. Nearly 3000 homes are without power, and the National Guard and Department of Transportation are filling and delivering sand bags.
- CNN reported that the South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley described the rain fall as “1,000-year level of rain”. What she meant was that weather records don’t go farther than 1,000 years ago, and in that 1,000 years, South Carolina has not seen this much rain in one event.