Cooler but still well above normal this week

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Flooding

A powerful rainstorm continues to soak South Carolina. At least five deaths have been reported across the state. Several sections of interstate highways have been closed including a 70-mile portion of I-95. In the state's capital Columbia, rescue operations will continue through at least Monday. Many schools and universities have canceled Monday classes and some businesses will also be closed. Forecasters predict it could be Tuesday before the rain stops.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says her state is experiencing a 1,000-year flood as torrential rains triggered in part by Hurricane Joaquin have inundated the state and much of the Mid-Atlantic.

Despite staying well offshore, Joaquin has wreaked havoc on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. President Obama on Saturday declared a state of emergency in worst-hit South Carolina.

It is the sort of weather event expected only once in 1,000 years, Haley told an afternoon news conference in the capital, Columbia. She called it "historic rainfall." The Congaree River, which flows south of Columbia, was at its highest level since 1936, she said.

"This is not an incident that we've dealt with before," Haley said.

She said there had been three flood-related fatalities in the state and urged residents to stay inside. "If you are in your house, stay in your house. This is not something to be out taking pictures of."

"It's not over. We are in the middle of it. We have at least another 24 hours. There is more rain is coming," she said.

Haley emphasized that it's not like a direct hit from a hurricane, which the state has experience with, but

Rain and flood warnings for much of the U.S. East Coast continue through today. The rainfall will reach into the Southeast and the Tennessee Valley with flash-flood threats in several states, including parts of New Jersey, Georgia and North Carolina.

Joaquin is forecast to pass very near Bermuda late tonight or early Monday as a major storm that could do considerable damage.

, Joaquin was centered about 125 miles southwest of Hamilton, Bermuda's capital city. The Category 3 storm, with winds of 105 mph, is moving northeast at 15 mph.
In South Carolina, 

Disasters

What is being described as "catastrophic flooding" has inundated South Carolina and much of the Mid-Atlantic, as Hurricane Joaquin -- despite staying well offshore -- has fueled torrential rains in the region.

Joaquin, churning toward Bermuda, causes massive floods in U.S.

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