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Remnants of Erika flood western Florida, South Carolina

By Tomas Monzon
Remnants of tropical storm Erika moving north over the eastern United States. Radar screenshot at 12:12 p.m. (EST) Monday. Screenshot: Weather.com
Remnants of tropical storm Erika moving north over the eastern United States. Radar screenshot at 12:12 p.m. (EST) Monday. Screenshot: Weather.com

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Remnants of the storm formerly known as Hurricane Erika brought heavy rain and flooding Monday to parts of Florida and South Carolina.

Rainfall of 6.25 inches was recorded at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina between midnight and 8 a.m. Monday. It was the second-wettest August day at the airport and broke the previous daily record of 2.61 inches in 2006.

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Weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce explained that "a dip in the jet stream over the South is helping to send a pipeline of deep moisture from Florida northeastward to the coastal Carolinas." This phenomenon has created slow-moving thunderstorms near the South Carolina coast.

The flooding led authorities to close several roads. Additionally, around 8:30 a.m., a local television station reported a mudslide, which one Twitter user said "would.not.be.good." All bus service was halted in the morning but resumed later in the day.

A King Tide affecting the area throughout the week may also contribute to flooding.

In Tampa, heavy rain on Sunday also caused some roads to flood and authorities to be on alert for Monday. A flood watch was put into effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

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Local residents stocked up on sandbags to protect their homes and businesses as street crews deployed traffic barrels and caution signs. A water pump was also dispatched to at least one neighborhood.

As the remnants of the storm continue to push north, South Carolina is expected to continue to experience heavy rainfall throughout the week.

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