Tropical Storm Fred was weakened to a depression on Tuesday and produced several tornadoes in Georgia. It dumped heavy rains onto the Appalachian Mountains along a path that could lead to flash floods as far north upstate New York.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, one death was reported: a man from Las Vegas whose car crashed into a canal near Panama City, Florida on Monday night.
After the storm landed late Monday afternoon, less than 30,000 customers in Florida and Georgia were without power. It occurred near Cape San Blas, Florida Panhandle. In Fred’s aftermath, emergency crews were busy repairing downed power lines as well as removing fallen trees. Due to the storm, some schools and colleges in Florida and Georgia had to cancel Tuesday’s classes.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Fred sustained winds exceeded 35 mph (56 km/h) when it crossed into southeast Alabama and west Georgia. Stacy Stewart, senior hurricane specialist, said Tuesday that the storm could drop 5 to 7 inches (13-18 cmimeters), rain into areas of Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. It may also dump up to 10 inches (20-25 centimeters), rain in isolated places, and cause flash flooding in mountainous regions.
Some parts of western North Carolina are already getting soaked from rain that is not directly related to Fred. They expect more rain through Wednesday. Transylvania County is south of Asheville declared a state emergency Monday after 10 inches (25 cms) of rain fell. This caused landslides and flooding roads, as well as the destruction of at least one house.
Jason Chappell of Transylvania County, a long-time resident, stated that it was the worst flooding he had ever seen and that he is afraid for more. A local factory was submerged by floodwaters Monday, causing extensive damage to its parking lot.
Chappell stated, “It really caught everybody off guard.” “No one could have predicted that much rain.”
Ashley Pratt, National Weather Service meteorologist, said Tuesday that Fred was blowing in. Haywood, Transylvania, and Jackson counties will likely get the most rainfall, with another 6-8 inches (15-20 centimeters in Transylvania) in Transylvania.
Grandfather Mountain State Park was closed Monday, making it one of the most popular attractions in the area. According to the website of North Carolina’s state park, “trails are flooding and water at stream crossings (is] dangerously high.”
According to the National Weather Service, at least three tornadoes were reported to have touched down in Georgia. One struck Americus in the southwest part of Georgia, while one struck Meriwether County in the middle of Atlanta and Columbus. The third hit Jeffersonville near Macon.
A storm struck Americus at 1:30 a.m., knocking down trees and some falling on homes, WRBL TV reported.
Academy Sports warehouse in Jeffersonville was struck by another tornado just before 6 a.m. Metal siding was torn away, a semi-truck trailer tipped over, and Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum stating that eight boats were damaged by the storm. Weather officials also warned of a tornado in Jeffersonville.
Metro Atlanta was flooded by heavy rains Tuesday morning, creating a snarling commute.
Reconnaissance aircraft discovered Grace had regained tropical storm strength on Tuesday. Grace lashed earthquake-damaged Haiti as a tropical depression on Monday, dumping up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain that pelted people huddling under improvised shelters in the aftermath of Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake, now blamed for more than 1,400 deaths.
Grace’s sustained winds increased to 45 mph (75 km/h) after it left Haiti, following a westward route between southeastern Cuban and Jamaica. It could reach hurricane strength by the time it reaches Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula on Wednesday or Thursday, according to forecasters.
Tropical Storm Henri was located 135 miles (215 km) south-southeast Bermuda. According to the hurricane center, the small tropical cyclone was capable of blowing at 50 mph (80 km/h) winds and would likely circle the island.
