Erika Devastates Dominica, Has Florida on Flood Alert; Other Storms Gain Strength

Caitlin Burke : Aug 31, 2015
CBN News

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fred strengthened into a hurricane early Monday morning. And in the Central Pacific, Hawaii is bracing for the approach of Hurricane Ignacio.

[CBN News] At least 20 people are dead in the Caribbean island of Dominica after Tropical Storm Erika caused flooding and mudslides. (Screengrab via CBN News)

Now the remnants of that storm are hitting Florida, with people there on the lookout for unexpected flash floods. And thanks to a high pressure system, more rain is in the forecast.

More than 15 inches of rain have already fallen in the Sunshine State, making this the third wettest August on record.

Tampa residents hope sandbags can hold off more flooding.

"We have some sandbags already set up, but we need some more. So not taking any chances," resident Ali McLaughlin said.

Meanwhile, the West Coast is cleaning up after a destructive system smashed trees and downed power lines.

"I just saw the tail end of the tree just like, bah boom. You know, falling, and I'm just like, NOOOO!!" one resident recalled.

Parts of Washington state experienced hurricane force winds, interrupting an Army-Air Force triathlon.

"We had tents blowing, branches falling off trees up in the hills," runner Bruce Carswell said.

Forecasters say the threat of bad weather is far from over.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fred strengthened into a hurricane early Monday morning. And in the Central Pacific, Hawaii is bracing for the approach of Hurricane Ignacio.

Meanwhile, bad weather out West didn't stop a memorial service to honor the three U.S. forest service firefighters killed while battling wildfires in Washington state.

More than 80 vehicles took part in a procession leading to the memorial service, where more than a hundred firefighters stood at attention.