Trees are buffeted by strong winds as Hurricane Isaias hits the Bahamas
(Photo : Twitter @ByJeffTodd via Reuters)
Trees are buffeted by strong winds as Hurricane Isaias hits the Bahamas July 31, 2020 in this still image taken from social media video, filmed from the Grand Isle Resort and Spa at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma.

Tropical Storm Isaias skirted the east coast of Florida on Sunday but is now on its way to hit North and South Carolina by Monday night.

Isaias first made its effects felt in Florida Sunday with forecasters warning it could reach hurricane strength once it makes landfall in the Carolinas.

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the tropical storm is about 55 miles off the southeast of Cape Canaveral Florida and is 385 miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Tropical Storm Isaias has sustained winds that increased slightly to 70 miles per hour, the NPR reported.

A hurricane watch was issued by the NHC to the parts of the Carolina coast from north of Charleston, South Carolina to north of Wilmington, North Carolina.

The NHC said there is a possibility of hurricane conditions in these areas from Monday night to early Tuesday.

East Coast to Get Drenched

South Florida saw relatively little damage from the story, but local officials are braced for more serious damage. They are even prepared to work in case of a power outage, said the CNN.

Between two to four inches of rain fell in some areas in South Florida and a few hundred people lost power, according to Miami Herald.

As of 9 a.m. Sunday, nearly 20,000 customers have been restored power. The NHC warned of heavy rainfall from Isaias that may pose dangerous flash floods in parts of Bahamas.

As for the Carolinas, there are also threats of flash and urban floods. The NHC said these floods may be most significant in the east parts of the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic.

Rivers in the Carolinas may also have minor to isolated flooding as Isaias treads the east coast.

By the time the storms has reached states further north on Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be about six inches of rain in parts of New York and New England.

Want to read more? Check out these stories!

Isaias Downgrades to Tropical Storm But Expected to Regain Strength as It Aims for Eastern Florida
New CDC Forecast Projects 20,000 Deaths Due to COVID-19 in 21 Days
'Apple Fire,' Thousands Evacuate due to Cherry Valley Wildfire