Ophelia weakens as it moves up the East Coast, bringing heavy rain from North Carolina to New Jersey
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Ophelia, now a post-tropical cyclone, continues to weaken as it moves over the mid-Atlantic Sunday, leaving nearly nine million people from Long Island to Southern Maryland under coastal flood alerts.
Areas from eastern Pennsylvania to just south of Long Island could see heavy rainfall Sunday, potentially leading to scattered instances of flash flooding. The National Weather Service warned flooding could be significant enough to close roads and threaten homes and businesses in some areas.
The heavy rain will shift northeast on Sunday to over parts of New England and the Northern mid-Atlantic as a weakening Ophelia continues its trek up the East Coast, forecasters said.
"The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable," the Weather Prediction Center said.
Ophelia was a tropical storm at near-hurricane strength when it made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, early Saturday, knocking out power, flooding coastal streets and forcing rescues. States of emergency were declared in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.
The storm weakened throughout the day and disbanded into a post-tropical low by Saturday night, with little change in strength forecast over the next couple of days.
Now, Ophelia, with sustained winds of 35 mph, is expected to keep moving over southeastern Virginia and then over the Delmarva Peninsula Sunday, before dissipating Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Impact along the Jersey shore
Massive waves crashed ashore Saturday afternoon in Atlantic City. Alongside it was heavy rain and nearly 60 mph wind gusts that blew sand everywhere.
Several streets went underwater as the storm passed through, including Vermont Avenue.
One man worked to get his stuck SUV off the beach in Brigantine after high tide Saturday afternoon. The Action Cam caught video of the car on Jetty Beach.
Witnesses say the driver did not appear injured after the ordeal.
A coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday evening.
Sunday was a much calmer day, with no more powerful wind gusts or harsh rain along the shore.
Now, officials say their main concern is beach erosion.
Scott Evans, the Atlantic City emergency management coordinator and fire chief, said between Ophelia and Hurricane Lee, everyone along the coast saw significant erosion.
The Army Corps of Engineers plans to replenish the beaches, but there is no exact timeline to make that happen.
Officials are also warning people to be wary of strong rip currents at the beaches.
Businesses affected by weekend storm
Azzurra Pizza in Sea Isle City is just one of several restaurants that lost business during Ophelia, taking a hit Thursday through Sunday.
"With the weather forecast, it scares some people away. I guess people figure they don't want to be down the shore when it's raining," said Leonardo Deserio, the restaurant's co-owner.
The business next door, Fractured Prune Donuts, decided to close the entire weekend due to the weather.
Sam's Pizza Place also took a hit, especially because the Wildwood Classic Car Show was canceled.
"This was the first year that the cars were back on the boardwalk again, and we expected a big crowd," said Owner Anthony Zuccarello. "But with the weather, we did not get that."
Despite the weekend washout, workers say they're ready to serve customers again.
"This time of year, we're fortunate to get whatever business we can get," said Deserio.
Downpours in Center City
Umbrellas and ponchos became a necessity on Sunday as people tried to go about their days in Center City, Philadelphia.
The Action Cam was on 10th and Market streets as rain fell across the area.
Despite the weather, crowds of people still came out to support local events.
At the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, the showers did not stop spectators from enjoying themselves.
"My kids have never been to it. So we wanted to come out and enjoy it, even if it's raining," said Kaliani Candelario from North Philadelphia, whose family is from Puerto Rico.
Flooding at Delaware beaches
The remnants of Ophelia were unleashed along Delaware beaches on Sunday.
The Action Cam was at Rehoboth Beach in Sussex County.
Crews blocked off some roads near the boardwalk due to severe flooding.
ABC News & CNN contributed to this report.
