Tropical storm Isaías is heading to the Carolinas and could become a hurricane

Isaiah gains strength and would affect North Carolina 3:21

(CNN) - After a weekend of storm preparedness with organized utility teams and open shelters in Florida, Tropical Storm Isaias is on its way to impact the Carolinas, with storm warnings extended north. from Delaware early Monday morning.

While Florida didn't face the brunt of the storm (it reduced from hurricane to tropical storm as it glided down the east coast), many counties and cities in the Sunshine State prepared to face a possible storm during the covid pandemic. -19.

Now coastal communities in the Carolinas could be in the storm's path, with a 60-cm storm surge 1.2 meters above ground level from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina, according to the Center. Hurricane National.

Orderly evacuations for coastal communities

Isaiah is expected to be "close to having hurricane strength when he reaches the Carolinas" on Monday night, the latest National Hurricane Center alert said, noting "there is little difference between a strong tropical storm or a major hurricane 1, in terms of impact ».

The Outer Banks communities of Ocracoke Island, which suffered a direct impact from Hurricane Florence in 2018, and Hatteras Island issued mandatory evacuations on Friday for all visitors and residents ahead of the anticipated storm that could cause flooding on the coast and property adjacent, making it impossible to pass by road in the area.

Visitors were ordered to evacuate Ocean Isle and Holden Beach on Saturday, authorities said.

Here are the 11 pm EDT Sunday, August 2 Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Isaias. For the full advisory on #Isaias, visit https://t.co/UPxJ5CL7iJ pic.twitter.com/iWDu3wq14y

- National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 3, 2020

Inland, the Nuese and Cape Fear rivers are expected to rise above the moderate flood level, the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management tweeted Sunday.

Strong winds of up to 112 kph are expected and could knock down power lines and trees. Tornadoes are also possible in North Carolina and South Carolina, each state's emergency management department said.

There is a surge warning for Charleston and Colleton counties, including downtown Charleston, which could also see 60cm to 1.2m of ocean water.

On Friday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced that he would not issue a mandatory evacuation, but that residents should continue to monitor the weather situation.

"Right now we hope this storm won't hit us hard if it hits us at all," said McMaster. "At this time we have no intention to declare any type of evacuation."

South Carolina Division of Emergency Management (SCEMD) director Kim Stenson said his department will implement its new emergency response plan for a covid environment that includes detecting the virus, the provision of personal protective equipment, as well as the creation of areas of social isolation and distance in shelters.

SCEMD will examine people before they get on buses for transportation to shelters and will have fewer people on the buses, which will require more trips, he said.

Shelters are for those in homes that may not be able to withstand strong tropical storm winds, Stenson added.

LOOK : Forecasts on Isaiah's trajectory on the US east coast

Public service companies prepare

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Delaware to northern Rhode Island, as the storm is on its way to advancing toward shore after it hit the Carolinas on Monday night.

Mid-Atlantic states should see the effects of the storm on Tuesday in Delaware Bay, the Tidal Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound.

By Wednesday morning, New Hampshire and Maine will see rain as a result of Isaiah.

Utility companies in the area are preparing for the storm and have assured their customers that they are ready to respond during the pandemic.

Eversource, a power company serving Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, said in a statement Sunday that it is closely monitoring the Isaiah road and will have additional equipment on hand. The company said it has been working under a pandemic plan since March, and that its security measures would also apply during a response to a major storm.

Philip O'Brien, a spokesman for New York's ConEdison, said his utility company is also prepared for Isaiah, adding that the tropical storm that happened on July 10 turned out to be a good test.

“What we are doing now, starting yesterday, is monitoring the storm and preparing for any possible impact in the service area. We are following the path and we have different contingencies, "said O'Brien. "One model says it will come off and weaken, and the other says it could still be Category 1. We are organizing the designated team to come out, which appears to be late Monday or early Tuesday, and will determine the appropriate response at that moment."

Taylor Ward and CNN's Ganesh Setty contributed to this report.

Tropical Storm Isaiah