Tropical Storm Isaias Leaves Millions Without Power and A Rising Death Toll
Tropical Storm Isaias has finally left the U.S. and is making its way to Canada after making landfall on the east coast – North Carolina – Monday night.
As Isaias made its way north of the U.S. the storm straddled between wind speeds of hurricane and tropical storm strength. Isaias reached high wind speeds of 65 mph and maintained it for several hours.
Homes were destroyed, streets were flooded and emergency services were overwhelmed.
Amongst the irreparable damage left by the storm are nine confirmed deaths and the death toll is expected to rise. The deaths occurred in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Delaware.
A child in Philadelphia died after being swept away by flood waters from a creek behind her house. A woman in New Hampshire was found crushed by a tree in her home on Tuesday evening.
Several of the reported deaths were due to trees falling and their branches breaking and striking people after the surrounding areas were hit by Isaias’ strong winds.
Reports state that over 3.7 million people across the eastern seaboard are left without power, many uncertain as to when it will return. New York experienced more power outages than in 2012 with Superstorm Sandy.
New York’s Governor Cuomo expressed his disappointment in utility companies due to their lack of preparation for Tropical storm Isaias. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in eleven counties: Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.