Sunday, October 28, 2018

21 killed after flash flood sweeps away students, teachers near Dead Sea

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
By Robert Richards, AccuWeather meteorologist
October 28, 2018, 10:52:52 AM EDT


A group of middle school students and teachers were visiting hot springs near the Dead Sea when flash flooding swept through the region on Thursday afternoon, local time.
Thirty-seven middle school students, seven teachers and several others were visiting the area when the torrent of water, triggered by heavy rain, took them by surprise, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Dead Sea 1 10/26
A Dead Sea area is seen after flash floods in Jordan Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. The body of a 12-year-old girl, was recovered early Friday, a day after middle school students and teachers visiting hot springs in the area were swept away by the torrent. Civil defense officials say the surge, caused by heavy rains, carried some for several kilometers (miles) toward the Dead Sea. (AP Photo/Omar Akour)

At least 21 people have died and at least 35 others injured. An unknown amount of people are missing.
“[The floodwaters] swept away the students for 4 to 5 kilometers [2-3 miles],” Brig. Gen. Farid al-Sharaa said via AP.
Thirteen people escaped the flooding without injuries, with some holding on to rocks to survive.

An Israeli military search and rescue team was dispatched to the scene to help with recovery efforts, the AP reported.
Helicopters and divers were used during the initial rescue operation, which lasted into Thursday night.
“This is a major rescue operation entailing scores of people from different state agencies as well as several rescue helicopters and boats, marine divers and swimmers are at the site now to rescue trapped people and search for missing ones,” an officer at the Civil Defence Department (CDD)’s press department told The Jordan Times over the phone.
The heavy rain also caused a bridge collapse near the area on Friday morning, according to Reuters.
The storm system that triggered the heavy rainfall and flooding has exited the region, with dry weather in store for continued cleanup and rescue operations this weekend.
The region is accustomed to flash flooding events due to its low elevation amid surrounding mountains. In April, 10 teenagers died after heavy rain sparked flash flooding south of the Dead Sea.

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Photos: Nor’easter triggers coastal flooding, thousands of power outages in northeastern US

By Mark Puleo, AccuWeather staff writer
October 28, 2018, 10:42:03 AM EDT




(Photo: @MarjorieCath)
Flooding in Ridgefield, New Jersey

(Photo: BENNYthemanny)
Trees fall in Boston due to wind and rain

(Photo: @backdoorviews)
Flooding in Sag Harbor, New York

(Photo: @nysdotli)
Crews in Long Island work to clear fallen trees from roads

(Photo: @nysdotli)
Crews in Long Island work to clear fallen trees from roads

(Photo: @nysdotli)
Crews in Long Island work to clear fallen trees from roads

(Photo: @makingpennies)
Heavy rains pelt Asbury Park in New Jersey

(Photo: @BillOzanne)
Major coastal flooding in Darien, Connecticut

(Photo: @BillOzanne)
Major coastal flooding in Darien, Connecticut

(Photo: @BillOzanne)
Major coastal flooding in Darien, Connecticut

 1 / 11 

The first nor’easter of the season hit the northeastern United States with force, leaving over 35,000 without power at the height of the storm. Downed trees and flooding caused travel chaos.
The coastline of the mid-Atlantic and New England endured the worst of the storm as strong winds led to tree damage in many communities. Wind gusts of up to 67 mph were recorded.
The strong winds blowing the ocean’s water onshore led to moderate to major coastal flooding at high tide from New Jersey to Long Island Sound on Saturday.
Coastal flooding forced officials to shut down northbound lanes of FDR Drive in Manhattan. Long Island Rail Road temporarily suspended the Long Beach Branch as water covered the roads around midday Saturday.
The Peconic River at Riverhead in eastern Long Island rose past the major flood stage of 7.1 feet to 7.83 feet on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
While the storm brought soaking rain to most of the Northeast, a wintry mix unfolded over the mountains of upstate New York and New England.
Snow totaled 5.5 inches near Randolph, New Hampshire, and 4.1 inches near Madison, New Hampshire. A National Weather Service observer recorded 3.5 inches near Bethel, Maine.
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Eastern US to turn milder for Halloween ahead of late-week rain

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
October 28, 2018, 4:56:41 PM EDT




Milder air will make a comeback across the eastern United States right in time for Halloween, but a late-week storm will prevent the warmth from hanging around long.
A quick-hitting storm will sweep another batch of rain across the Northeast into Monday with fresh chilly air to follow. Enough cold air may be in place for a bit of snow to return to the highest terrain of the central and northern Appalachians.
Following the departure of this storm, a welcome change awaits those anxious for a break from the recent chilly stretch.
New clipper Oct 28

"After the weekend nor’easter and chilly weather, there will finally be a return to warmer weather for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic toward midweek," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis.
"Southwesterly winds ahead of a storm forming over the Mississippi and Ohio valleys will bring mild air from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Wednesday and Thursday," he added.
Highs in the 60s are expected to make a comeback on Halloween in New York City and Boston with temperatures approaching or exceeding the 70-degree-Fahrenheit mark in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.
Warmer air will also span the Southeast, allowing temperatures to rebound back to around 80 F in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. Highs in the 70s will return to Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina.
East warmth Oct 28

At most, costumes with long sleeves or light jackets incorporated into them may be better from Hershey, Pennsylvania, to Great Kills (Staten Island), New York, to Salem, Massachusetts.
Halloween evening may not be comfortable and dry across all of the Northeast.
The milder air may stop short of reaching far northern New England at midweek, and some rain can put a damper on Halloween festivities from the Ohio River to northern New England.
Trick-or-treaters from Scary, West Virginia, to Pumpkin Hill, New York, and Deadmans Corner, Maine, will have to balance umbrellas with their candy bags.
Halloween new Oct 28

Download the free AccuWeather app to find out what weather is anticipated in your community on Halloween.
After Halloween, temperatures may climb a few more degrees for Thursday along the Interstate-95 corridor. New York City may experience its first 70-degree day since Oct. 11.
"Unfortunately, the warm weather will not stick around for long," Travis said.
The drenching rain and thunderstorms soaking the Mississippi and Ohio valleys on Halloween is expected to track across the East Coast Thursday night into Friday.
The Northeast is expected to be on the mild side of the storm, preventing a return of snow to the Appalachian Mountains.
Some of the rain that does target the East can pour down heavily, leading to travel disruptions and ruining outdoor plans.
The risk for flooding from this storm will be greatest in the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, localized flooding in poor drainage and urban areas cannot be ruled out. Residents should make sure that storm drains are not clogged by fallen leaves.
Motorists and those traveling by foot should remain alert for slick conditions that the combination of wet leaves, roads and sidewalks can create.
In the Southeast, a localized number of the thunderstorms may turn severe. Even in the absence of damaging thunderstorms, rain and lightning can disrupt ongoing clean-up operations in the wakes of hurricanes Florence and Michael.
As the rain sweeps across the East, an end to the milder weather will come.
"Much chillier weather will follow the rain into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast next weekend," according to Travis.
Temperatures will also tumble across the Southeast.
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India: Air quality deteriorates amid increasingly warm, smoky conditions

By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist
By Robert Richards, AccuWeather meteorologist
October 28, 2018, 12:14:38 PM EDT



Monsoon season has been swiftly replaced with dry, hazy weather across northern India, marking the beginning of the region's annual extended poor air quality event.
Each autumn, farmers in northern India burn their fields in preparation for planting winter crops. Despite government pleas and regulations requiring farmers to use field-clearing farm equipment, the high cost of the plows means many resort to burning regardless.
As high pressure sets up over the region, these vast amounts of smoke will slowly spread over northern India and linger through at least the first half of this week.
India 10/28

Smoke combines with construction dust and factory and vehicle emissions in urban areas to create a dangerous air quality event that typically lasts through the winter months.
In New Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has frequently surpassed 600 this week. According to The World Health Organization, anything above 300 is considered "hazardous." Other cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Kolkata will also be frequently engulfed in dangerously smoky conditions.
With warm, stagnant weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, air quality is unlikely to improve. Another factor contributing to this will be the upcoming Hindu holiday of Diwali.
The Festival of Lights is typically celebrated with the help of fireworks throughout city streets, which contributes significant amounts of smoke to the atmosphere. This year, the two-day holiday begins on Nov. 7.
Poor air quality conditions are a health hazard, leading to dangerous respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions and tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. Additionally, the resulting low visibility leads to travel disruptions in the form of slowed traffic and airline delays.
The same feature enhancing the smokiness in northern India will contribute to cleaner air and more pleasant conditions farther south.
An easterly breeze off the Bay of Bengal will sweep across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, washing cleaner air through Hyderabad and Bengaluru this week.
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Typhoon Yutu to bring torrential rain, damaging winds to the northern Philippines early this week

By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist
By Robert Richards, AccuWeather meteorologist
October 28, 2018, 4:00:23 PM EDT



Despite no longer being a super typhoon, Yutu is expected to slam into the northern Philippines with flooding rain and damaging winds early this week.
Yutu (known locally as Rosita) will move westward toward the northern Philippines over the next 24-36 hours, continuing to stir dangerously rough seas.
Cruises, cargo ships and other sea-faring transportation will need to reroute or risk being battered by high winds and dangerous seas.
Yutu floater 10.27 AM
Typhoon Yutu captured by Himawari satellite imagery on Oct. 28, 2018. (NOAA)

AccuWeather meteorologists currently expect Yutu to move over the northern Philippines as a powerful typhoon, with wind speeds equivalent to those of a Category 3 hurricane early this week.
The storm's influence will first be noticeable to those on land on Monday, when clouds, showers and gusty winds will begin streaming across the Batanes, Babuyan Islands and northern and eastern coastal portions of Luzon.
Yutu track Oct 28

The storm is expected to largely spare the capital city of Manila on the western coast of the Philippines.
Strong winds could damage trees and buildings, resulting in power outages and interruption of other utilities beginning on Tuesday. Accompanying heavy rainfall could result in dangerous flooding, mudslides and washouts.
Rainfall amounts will average 125-250 mm (5-10 inches) with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 500 mm (20 inches) across the northern Philippines. Winds will gust over 160 km/h (100 mph), causing major delays.
Transportation delays will occur as the storm impacts Luzon Monday through Wednesday.
Many areas previously impacted by Typhoon Mangkhut in mid-September could face another round of destructive tropical weather.
Yutu impacts Oct 28

As the storm slows, it will slowly meander westward in the South China Sea and weaken Thursday and Friday. Interests in Taiwan should keep an eye on Yutu later in the week.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay up to date on the latest tropical advisories and weather hazards for your area.
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Halloween storm to soak trick-or-treaters, raise flood risk from southern Plains to Ohio Valley

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
October 28, 2018, 4:41:06 PM EDT



Soaking rain and thunderstorms will threaten to not only disrupt Halloween plans, but also cause localized flooding across part of the Central states around midweek.
People from the southern Plains to the Ohio Valley may feel like Mother Nature is giving out more tricks than treats this year.
"Those hoping to go trick-or-treating Wednesday evening from eastern Texas to Ohio will have plans ruined by heavy rain and even a few thunderstorms," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said.
Waterproof shoes, umbrellas or a clear plastic poncho will likely be needed for any ghosts and goblins roaming the neighborhoods in Dallas and Houston; Shreveport, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Paducah and Lexington, Kentucky; and Cincinnati.
Roadways and sidewalks may be extra slick where the rain dampens fallen leaves.
The soggy conditions may force some communities to reschedule or cancel Halloween festivities.
Halloween new Oct 28

“Several inches of rain will fall, which can lead to flash flooding,” Rathbun said.
Motorists will need to use extreme caution as the downpours will reduce visibility, making it difficult to see trick-or-treaters.
Flooded roadways are also possible, especially where storm drains are blocked by leaves.
“Parents will want to keep up-to-date on the forecast in the south-central zone as there is a chance of a few of the storms becoming severe from eastern Texas to Louisiana,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
While lightning flashes will add to the spooky feel of the evening, they will create dangers for anyone outside.
Seek shelter inside a building or in a hard-top vehicle as soon as thunder is heard or lightning is seen.
Heavy rain Oct 28 pm

Damaging wind gusts can accompany the dangerous lightning strikes across the southern tier.
Download the AccuWeather app to know exactly when rain and storms will arrive and end in your area.
Meanwhile, enough cold air could funnel in farther west to make for a wintry scene across the Colorado and southern Rockies from Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Stormy Oct 28

The heavy rain and storms will rumble slowly eastward on Thursday.
While the southern Plains dry out, heavy rain and locally severe storms will sweep into the Southeast, as downpours continue to soak the Ohio Valley.
Michael cleanup efforts could be disrupted for a time.
There can be an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 6 inches where rain falls on both Wednesday and Thursday, generally from portions of Arkansas to western Tennessee, Kentucky and southern Indiana and Ohio.
While part of this corridor has received less-than-normal rainfall so far in October, too much rain can fall too quickly and cause flooding issues.
Much cooler and drier air will move in across the South as the storm departs, according to Rathbun.



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Man missing at sea for nearly 2 weeks found alive in life raft off Washington coast

  One of two men missing at sea for nearly two weeks was found alive on Thursday by a Canadian fishing boat in a life raft in Canadian water...