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(CNN) –– Tropical storm Fay made landfall in New Jersey, some 10 miles north northeast of Atlantic City, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 80.4 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts. Fay is moving north at 22.5 kilometers per hour and should increase speed overnight and early morning, while moving through southeastern New York and western New England.
As the system heads north for the next 24 hours, it will continue to carry flood threats from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to New York and southern New England.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to remain on guard for safety.
“Let’s all stay inside and have a storm-induced social distancing,” he said, borrowing a concept more associated with coronavirus pandemic.
Some New Jersey communities intentionally lowered their lake water levels before the storm, hoping to lessen flooding, Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra explained to the CNN News 12 New Jersey affiliate.
“We have already proactively lowered our lakes in the past 24 hours,” Kanitra said. “In storms like this … the water has nowhere to go. So this is a (step) that we have available to prepare ourselves proactively, ”he added.
White House says storms to postpone Saturday’s rally in New Hampshire
Drizzles and thunderstorms are also expected from Friday night through Saturday in northern New England. A campaign rally of the president Trump, scheduled for Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was postponed due to the forecast, the White House reported.
A tropical storm warning was issued for the coasts of Delaware, New Jersey, New York – including New York City and Long Island – Connecticut and part of Rhode Island.
The warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the area.
“We are going to see some fallen trees. Let’s look at some downed power lines. Probably a bit of beach erosion and that heavy rain, ”said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.
At 9 am this Friday, the community on the Ocean City, Maryland peninsula had received more than 10 centimeters of rain in three hours.
Fay formed on the North Carolina coast this Thursday. It is the earliest tropical storm beginning with an “F”. The previous record was set on July 21, 2005.
“Around 6 o’clock tonight, that will be the worst weather in New York City. By 11 o’clock … that weather hits Boston, Connecticut, through New Hampshire and Vermont, “added Myers.
CNN’s Judson Jones, Brandon Miller, and Laura Dolan contributed to this report.
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