Beaches Blustery as Hermine Spins Away From East Coast

What to Know

  • While the D.C. area experienced little to no effect from Hermine, the storm created blustery conditions at the beaches Sunday
  • A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, which could experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
  • Virginia Beach also remained under a tropical storm warning Sunday, with the weather service describing conditions as "breezy to windy."

The Sun made a welcome return to some of the beaches on Sunday afternoon, but Hermine wasn't done creating blustery conditions.

Hermine spun away from the East Coast, removing the threat of heavy rain but maintaining enough power to keep beaches at risk for dangerous waves and currents and off-limits to disappointed swimmers and surfers during the holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service said a tropical storm warning remains in effect for Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, which could experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph and life-threatening storm surges during high tide late Sunday and into Monday.

Virginia Beach also remained under a tropical storm warning Sunday, with the weather service describing conditions as "breezy to windy." No significant rainfall was expected for the area, although scattered rain may occur in parts of southern New England and in the mid-Atlantic states.

Ocean City, Maryland, officials advised residents on Sunday that despite sunny skies and calm conditions, the beach would still experience strong rip currents and a high chance for beach erosion. The beach reopened, but swimming was still prohibited, officials said Sunday afternoon.

Ocean City previously warned residents, particularly in Zone A (see zones here), to prepare for moderate to severe flooding starting early Saturday. Residents should secure water vessels and anything susceptible to wind and flooding, and bring in outdoor furniture, officials said. 

Hermine already caused two deaths, damaged properties and left hundreds of thousands without electricity from Florida to Virginia. It spawned a tornado in North Carolina and closed beaches as far north as New York.

Forecasters expected Hermine to regain hurricane force as it travels up the coast before weakening again to a tropical storm by Tuesday.

Storm Team4 said the storm is now far enough away that storm surge flooding and beach erosion won’t be as big of a threat along the Eastern Shore and beaches.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency for the state's Eastern Shore and southern Maryland on Friday.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe had earlier declared a state of emergency for that state's coastal communities.

Amtrak said it has cancelled or altered some service on the East Coast as the storm approached.

Latest on Labor Day in D.C.

In the D.C. area, there has been little to no impact Sunday and Labor Day will be partly sunny and warm with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, Storm Team4 said.

The mountains will be virtually dry over the holiday weekend.

After Hermine, there's potential for near record heat later next week into the second weekend of September.

Stay with News4 and Storm Team4 as we continue to update this developing forecast.

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