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Christmas travel is under threat for millions as fierce storms roar up the East Coast: NYC is on flood watch today with heavy rain and winds ripping through states and thousands warned to stay at home

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Christmas travel is under threat for millions as fierce storms roar up the East Coast, with many motorists stranded in floodwaters. 

New York City is on flood watch today, with heavy rain and winds ripping through states and thousands warned to stay at home.

Storms unleashed heavy rain and strong winds as they charged up the East Coast on Sunday, forcing water rescues from flooded streets, with some holiday celebrations cancelled.

The storm slammed into Florida on Saturday and is moving up the East Coast through South Carolina and into Pennsylvania and New Jersey today.

Rivers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and a significant portion of New England are at risk of flooding on Monday and Tuesday, according to AccuWeather.

Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stuck due to floodwaters in South Carolina's waterfront community of Georgetown, according to Jackie Broach, public information officer for Georgetown County, located between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. More than 9 inches of rain fell in the area since late on Saturday.

'It's not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,' Broach said. 'It's areas that we're not really expecting to have flooding issues.'

The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly posted on X: 'The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult' 

The National Weather Service also posted: 'Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms'

The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult. Give yourself extra time for your commute and NEVER drive through a flooded roadway! pic.twitter.com/S1nGzWQFDL

— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 18, 2023

2:04 PM ET: Radar Scan

Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. Visit https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP for safety tips! 💦⛈ pic.twitter.com/BykPgTfLOx

— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 17, 2023

A Tornado Watch was in effect for parts of eastern North Carolina until 8 p.m. EST on Sunday evening. 

The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly posted on X: 'The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult.'

The National Weather Service also posted: 'Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms.'

New York Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory for Sunday and Monday. 

The city's administration also announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended on Monday.

'As the forecast for this evening's weather intensifies, our city agencies are hard at work, making sure we can handle anything the storm throws at us,' Adams said on Sunday. 

'But we need your help, too. Before the storm starts, secure any loose outdoors items, clear your catch basins if it's safe, and if you live in a low-lying or poor drainage area, make sure you have a plan for if it floods.'

He added: 'Once the storm starts, stay off the roads, so our emergency vehicles can get wherever they need to go. If you have to go out, use mass transit. And sign up for Notify NYC, to make sure you have the most up-to-date information you need to stay safe.' 

Saturday was stormy across most of Florida, forcing outdoor holiday parties to be cancelled. Outside decorations that aren't battened down were likely to blow away.

The mass of wind and rain is expected to head up the east coast just in time for the start of the holiday travel season.

'Saturday is a complete washout as this disturbance moves over,' said George Rizzuto, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Miami. 'The northern part of Florida will be at risk for some pretty heavy rainfall through the entire day.'

U​niversal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay waterpark shut down for the day due to the weather. 

Sybil and Stella, a pair of bearded collies, go for a morning walk in high winds near the intersection of Worth Ave. and S. Ocean Blvd in Miami on Saturday 

The Juno Beach Pier is slammed by big waves in Juno Beach, Florida. The National Weather Service forecast sustained winds of 30-40 mph and seas of 10-15 foot waves

Miami's palm trees look a little bent out of shape in the strong winds. Bob Givehchi, left, and his son Daniel, 8, are seen visiting Miami for the first time, walking past debris and palm trees at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Florida

Waves pound the Lake Worth Inlet next to the pump house in Palm Beach Shore, Florida 

Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy take photos as the waves splash in Key West,  as squalls of rain and wind batter the Florida Keys

Holiday events across the state were canceled, such as the Christmas boat parade in Indian Rocks Beach along the Gulf Coast. 'See you next year,' the town website said. 

At least five boat parades were canceled or postponed in South Florida, including the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale.

Several outdoor holiday events were canceled, from South Florida up into the rest of the peninsula. That included Saturday's Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade and at least four other similar events across the region, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

'The safety and well-being of our participants and spectators are of utmost importance to us,' Winterfest organizers said on their website. 'The inclement weather conditions, beyond our control, make it impossible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.'

Rizzuto said winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected across much of the coastline, with gusts up to 45 mph.

Florida and the East Coast are bearing the brunt of heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds throughout the region

The storm  could spawn a few tornadoes and is set to bring up to six inches of rain to Florida

Major cities such as Washington D.C., New York, and Boston could see rainfall ranging from two to four inches

The storm made landfall in Florida on Saturday, and is moving north along the East Coast, reaching as far as New England on Sunday

The storm will eventually move off the east coast throughout Monday

Coastal areas run the risk of flooding due to the sheer amount of rainfall

Rain is forecast all along the eastern seaboard throughout the weekend

Gale warnings were issued along the coast with Rizzuto advising boaters to take extra precaution.

'Out there over the water, you can expect some pretty rough seas with some wave heights around 12 to 15 feet,' he said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday activated the new Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer organization created last year, to assist with any storm impacts from such things as flooding and high winds.

'The Florida State Guard plays an essential role in Florida's preparation for and swift response to severe weather,' the Republican governor explained.

One Christmas event at Disney World was cancelled as a result of the inclement weather

Wingfoiler Billy Padrino takes to the water on Rickenbacker Causeway beach blown along by storm force winds

A person fishes on the Newport Fishing Pier in Sunny Isles Beach as gusty winds and heavy rain pounds the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach areas

Coconut trees are battered by heavy winds along the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami as near tropical storm-force wind gusts batter the area

A group of friends brave the high winds to observe the ocean and take pictures at Midtown Beach 

Subha Gaja, Tamil Azh, Vaishu Sank, and Asha Bora, of North Carolina, walk through the waves crashing on the shore as a cargo ship departs the Port of Miami

The Miami (Ohio) band plays as rain pours down throughout the first half of the Cure Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, on Saturday in Orlando

The Juno Beach Pier is slammed by big waves in Juno Beach, Florida 

Annika Sorenstam (right) along with son Will McGee (middle) and husband Mike McGee brave the constant rain on the fifth hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando

Miguel Castellanos, 8, and his sister Maria Castellanos,15, of Tennessee, run from the waves crashing on the shore while vacationing on South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida

The Miami skyline as seen from the Rickenbacker Causeway as near-tropical storm-force winds pound the area

Wingfoiler Eric Hoytink takes to the water on the Rickenbacker Causeway beach as a storm batters the area

Beachgoers in Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, were being encouraged not to get into the water at all. 

If they did, they should enter the water near a lifeguard tower and not get beyond waist deep, Volusia County officials said in a warning.

As an extra precaution, county workers removed trash cans and portable restrooms from the beach.

In Hollywood, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, city officials warned residents to be mindful of floods. 

The area has had significant rainfall over the past two months and some low-lying neighborhoods tend to flood in heavy rain.

Further up the coast in Volusia County, Emergency Management Director Jim Judge urged local residents to make sure Christmas decorations were secured for the storm on Saturday.

'Just take the normal precautions you would have with a tropical storm, and even though we're not looking at anything near that way, if you take those precautions, then you'll be able to weather this event,' Judge said.

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