Tornado Warnings Issued For New Hampshire: Tropical Storm Isaias

GRAY, ME — The National Weather Service updated tropical storm watches and warnings for the entire state of New Hampshire Tuesday, telling Granite Staters to prepare for damaging winds and flooding.

The NWS issued a number of updated warnings for Tropical Storm Isaias — which continues to have a storm intensity of 70 miles per hour. The storm is currently less than 600 miles southwest of Portsmouth, according to forecasters.

"Isaias is expected to track quickly through western New England (Tuesday) evening into the early morning hours Wednesday," the alert stated. "The majority of storm impacts will be felt in roughly a 6-hour period tonight."

Winds are expected to increase and gust to 40 to 60 mph as the storm travels along the Connecticut River Valley. The winds will be in a southerly direction.

Tornado warnings were issued for Cheshire and Sullivan counties at 10 a.m. Around 12:30 p.m., warnings were also issued for Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford counties. The warning is active through 9 p.m.

08/04/2020 Press Release: Tropical Storm Isaias. TS Isaias has shifted west changing the forecast. Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect. Tornado Watch until 9pm. pic.twitter.com/Xubo3Vharj
— Manchester Fire Dept (@ManchesterFD) August 4, 2020

As much as 3 inches of rain is expected which may lead to flash flooding in the western and northern parts of the state.

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Although the storm was originally expected to be hardest hit on the Seacoast, those predictions have been revised.

"In general, the coastal flooding threat is low based on the forecast forward speed of Isaias, with any inundation likely less than a foot," the NWS said. "Some splashover is expected during the Tuesday night high tide however. Rough surf and an increased risk for dangerous rip currents will be possible both ahead of Isaias today and behind it on Wednesday."

The state's flash flood watch is in effect from 2 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters expect wind damage to property and downed trees and limbs that could cause power outages.

Unitil Is Prepared

Eversource said Monday that it was preparing for storm outages and Unitil, another large utility in the state, is also making preparations — and sent out this storm prep video to customers Monday.

"We are preparing for the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias Tuesday evening and into Wednesday," the company said. "According to the most recent forecasts, Isaias is expected to be a rapidly-moving tropical storm as it passes the region on Tuesday night, with heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 30-45 mph possible in all areas and gusts approaching 55 mph possible closer to the coast. Such wind gusts have the potential to take down branches and upend trees, causing damage to electric infrastructure."

Heavy rains associated with the storm may also "cause flooding in some areas, which may hamper restoration efforts," the company warned.

The latest weather conditions can be found on the front page of every Patch.com site in the United States including the 12 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites. Local, four-day weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Wednesday or Thursdays. Alerts are posted when needed.

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