2 dead as storm Hermine batters US East Coast
A powerful storm has left two people dead as it is battering the US East Coast with strong winds and heavy rain.
The storm, dubbed Hermine, was first classified as a Category 1 hurricane until it lost strength while sweeping through Florida and Georgia on Saturday. However, forecasters said winds will return to hurricane force of more than 74 mph (119 kph) by Sunday evening.
"It's going to sit offshore and it is going to be a tremendous coastal event with a dangerous storm surge and lots of larger waves probably causing significant beach erosion, for the next few days," according to senior hurricane specialist Daniel Brown.
"Wind and water hazards of a variety of kinds are things we have to contend with throughout Labor Day weekend," National Hurricane Center director Rick Knabb said.
"At a minimum, we're going to have some beach erosion, rip currents and dangerous waves all the way from the south facing shores of New England, Cape Cod, Nantucket ... down to the Hampton Roads area," he added.
In New Jersey, where Superstorm Sandy caused severe damage in 2012, Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in three coastal counties.
In the northern Florida town of Ocala, the wind broke down a tree which fell on a homeless man in his tent, killing him. In North Carolina, a tractor trailer overturned on a bridge, resulting in the death of the driver.
Four people also suffered minor injuries when a tornado struck a campground in Hatteras Village, North Carolina, according to officials.
The National Hurricane Center said that dangerous storm surges were possible on Sunday morning around Hampton Roads, Virginia, where surges at the shores could reach up to 5 feet if they hit at high tide.
The storm has cut down power lines, leaving 250,000 people without power from Florida through Virginia and 55,000 in Virginia.
NYC police storm Columbia University as violent clashes erupt at California University
Anti-Israel protests in US: UN rights chief ‘troubled’ by police brutality
Columbia suspends students after warning to clear out protest camp unheeded
US Senate approves ban on Russian uranium imports
Yemen says its weapons stockpile 'unimaginable' as more European warships depart Red Sea
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | NYC police storm Columbia University as violent clashes erupt at California University
Israel using thermal weapons that melt, evaporate victims’ bodies: Rights group
April 30: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Leader calls for mounting pressure on Israel as Gaza first issue of world
Israel escalates arrest campaign in West Bank as several Palestinians nabbed in raids
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
