Hurricane Hermine may have been downgraded to a tropical storm after it made landfall in Florida this morning, but that isn’t preventing New York from being extra cautious. The city’s beaches will remain closed on Sunday due to "dangerous riptides" as the storm makes its up the East Coast, DNAinfo reports.
Hermine’s landfall in Florida Friday morning marked the first time the state had been hit by a hurricane in 11 years. The storm is currently passing through Georgia, the Weather Channel reports, with 50 m.p.h winds. A tornado watch is in effect in the coastal areas of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina until later this afternoon.
The storm has already uprooted trees and damaged power lines with over 100,000 people in the state left without power, Accuweather reports.
The storm will likely hit New York sometime Sunday, and a storm watch has been issued for the tri-state area, according to NBC New York. The beaches may also be closed Monday and Tuesday, but the city has yet to issue a call for that.
"I urge New Yorkers to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves and their families for whatever this storm may bring," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. "If you live in flood-prone areas, secure your properties. Prepare your Go Bags, charge your cell phone batteries, and don’t forget to check in on relatives, friends, and neighbors."
The Weather Channel is tracking the storm as it makes its way up the coast.
UPDATE (9/4/2016): According to CNN, Tropical Storm Hermine has shifted more East, meaning New York City along with New Jersey, and Delaware won't be as heavily impacted by the storm as expected. However, parts of eastern Long Island remain at an increased risk for severe weather. Areas around New York City's coast could see storm surges of 2 to 4 feet. Winds may gust between 20-30 m.p.h, and as strong as 50 m.p.h in certain areas.