Isaias Leaves at Least 5 Dead in the US and is Now in Canada

Isaias has left at least five people dead after ravaging through the US's Atlantic coast, and is now in Canada.

The Effects of Isaias

A tornado killed two people when it struck a North Carolina mobile home park; three more people died in Delaware, Maryland, and New York. Isaias has now moved to Canada's southeastern region, and has now been downgraded as a post-tropical cyclone. The Canadian Hurricane Center issued a warning for heavy rainfall in southern Quebec.

Isaias is this year's ninth storm that has been named, hitting Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico last week with winds having the strength of a hurricane, where it killed at least two. Isaias also destroyed crops, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and brought landslides and floods.

(Photo : Reuters Connect)
Satellite Image of Tropical Storm Isaias as it moves over the northeast United States (Reuters Connect)

READ: Isaias has Again Strengthened Into a Hurricane, Landfall Expected as it Heads to the Carolinas 

From Hurricane to Cyclone to Category 1 Hurricane

After it passed from the Caribbean islands, it was downgraded into tropical storm status. However, it was again re-categorized into category 1 hurricane when it approached the Carolina states last Monday.

Its ravaging path across North Carolina and on to the state of New York left over 3.4 million people without electric power. Isaias also caused tornadoes and fires, destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and brought widespread flooding.

Destruction by Falling Trees

The northeast coast up to the state of Maine have received a warning for a tropical storm. This warning covered major cities such as New York, Washington, and Philadelphia.

New York City police reported of a man killed by a falling tree in Queens while he was in his vehicle. Meanwhile, a Maryland driver was also reported dead as a tree was brought down and onto his car during the storm.

An 83-year-old Delaware woman was found near her home under a huge tree branch, which presumably caused her death.

READ ALSO: Hurricane Isaias Goes Through the Atlantic as Florida and the Bahamas Brace for Disaster

Disaster Preparations

A state of emergency was declared by Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey. All state offices were closed last Tuesday. In adjacent New York, the state authorities distributed emergency supplies such as chainsaws, pumps, sandbags, and bottled water across the state.

Preparing for Isaias While Managing the Pandemic

For regions preparing for this season's hurricanes, state officials grappled with the need to open shelters that are compliant with regulations for social distancing. Disaster agencies in the country have made updates to the evacuation and preparedness guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that families include items in their disaster kit, which also takes the pandemic into consideration. These items include: hand sanitizer; disinfectant wipes; liquid soap or bar soap; and a minimum of two masks or face coverings for each person. Take note that masksmust not be put on children below two years of age and unconscious individuals.

Some guidelines for ensuring everyone's protection against COVID-19 while managing the storm or evacuating towards a shelter must be kept in mind. These include: washing hands often; keeping a minimum of two meters or six feet from people outside one's household; wearing a mask or face covering as well as regularly washing it; avoiding sharing drinks and food; and frequently disinfecting the shelter area including the items on it, including electronics and toys.

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