Politics & Government

Weather Service Warns of High Winds, Floods from Sandy

The Weather Service Sunday morning issued a high wind warning, a coastal flood warning and a flood watch.

 

The National Weather Service has issued several warnings and watches for our area as Sandy approaches.

The Weather Service Sunday morning issued a high wind warning, a coastal flood warning and a flood watch.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

High Wind Warning

The high wind warning could produce damaging winds across our region Monday and especially early Monday night. Sandy will again become a powerful storm as it turns west Monday slamming into the northern mid-Atlantic coast late Monday evening with a period of 60 to 75 mph wind gusts.

The high wind warning in effect from 8 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Winds northeast to north at 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 60 to 75 mph are anticipated. Shifting winds may still gust to 55 mph Tuesday morning before diminishing later in the day. The strongest winds are expected to occur between 4 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday.

A prolonged period of high winds will increase the potential for structural damage. Downed trees and widespread power outages especially from the I-95 corridor eastward to the coasts. The combination of the wind, increasingly rain softened ground and many trees still loaded with leaves should result in widespread power outages Monday and Monday night. Trees could be completely uprooted and many tree limbs will be broken. Power outages may be of long duration.

There is a small chance this warning may need to be extended into midday Tuesday dependent on Sandy`s strength and location in Pennsylvania.

You should continue to monitor the latest forecasts. and secure or bring in items that could be tossed around in the high winds.

Coastal Flood Warning

The Weather Service also issued a coastal flood warning from 8 p.m. this evening to 4 a.m. Tuesday for the tidal Delaware River.

According to the warning, moderate coastal flooding is possible along the river during the Sunday night, Monday late morning to afternoon and Monday night high tides.

Numerous roadways may flood and moderate property damage is possible with rainfall of 5 to 10 inches forecast during the period. Heavy rainfall near time of high tide will force considerable small stream runoff into the tidal Delaware and exacerbate tidal flooding.

Be prepared for rising water levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged...leading to costly repairs.

Flood Watch

There is also a flood watch in effect through Tuesday afternoon. Substantial flooding is likely in portions of our area especially from southeast Pennsylvania

Heavy rains probably begin sometime today or tonight. The worst will be tomorrow and tomorrow evening when torrential downpours can produce one half to 1 inch rains for several hours throughout the flood watch area.

Small stream flooding as well as considerable urban and poor drainage flooding is expected to develop Monday morning and last well into Monday night. Larger main stem river flooding should follow by Tuesday even as the heavy rains have abated with Sandy`s westward passage into Pennsylvania. Leaves will tend to get washed into storm drains, which will enhance localized flooding.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop including following detours and living comfortably with substantial travel inconvenience due to flooded roads.

Here's the local forecast:

  • Today Rain. High near 60. Northeast wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
  • Tonight Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 52. Windy, with a north wind 16 to 21 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
  • Monday Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 55. Windy, with a north wind 30 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
  • Monday Night Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. Very windy, with a north wind 31 to 41 mph decreasing to 18 to 28 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
  • Tuesday Showers. High near 54. Breezy, with a southeast wind 21 to 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Tuesday Night Showers. Low around 43. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Wednesday A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.


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