Coastal flooding hits East Coast as nor'easter intensifies
A powerful nor'easter is battering the East Coast on Saturday, driving coastal flooding, heavy rain, and damaging winds from the Mid-Atlantic through New England as New York and New Jersey brace for some of the highest flood levels seen since Superstorm Sandy. Governors have declared emergencies, and forecasters warn impacts will build through the weekend as the slow-moving storm lingers offshore.
Key Takeaways
- New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency as coastal flooding, high winds, and heavy rain hit the Northeast.
- Forecasters expect two to six inches of rain from Atlantic City to Boston, with coastal flood warnings lasting into Sunday evening.
- Wind gusts have already topped 60 mph in spots, leaving tens of thousands without power and canceling hundreds of flights.
- Officials urge flood-zone residents to move vehicles to high ground, avoid nonessential travel, and stay out of the water.
Why is coastal flooding the biggest threat this weekend?
The National Weather Service has flagged coastal flooding as one of the most certain hazards because the storm is arriving during some of the highest tides of the month. Strong onshore winds can push seawater toward the shore, producing waves of up to 10 feet as the system tracks north.
According to The New York Times, the storm's center was about 150 miles east of Ocean City, Maryland, on Saturday morning. It was forecast to stay well offshore Saturday, then approach the New Jersey coast on Sunday and linger into Monday.
FOX Weather meteorologists warned the slow-moving setup could bring the most significant coastal flooding New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic have seen since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, as water piles up across multiple high-tide cycles along hundreds of miles of shoreline.
Where are the worst impacts right now?
Floodwaters rose several feet high on parts of the Jersey Shore Saturday morning, with streets underwater in Point Pleasant and Ocean City, New Jersey. Access to Long Beach Island was closed after significant flooding shut Route 72, and the George Redding Bridge to North Wildwood was closed because of flooding.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said coastal flooding remains the largest concern, with Long Island still expecting four to six inches of rain over three days and New York City projections rising to three to six inches. She reported wind gusts exceeding 60 mph on Long Island and warned waves as high as 20 feet could pound the state's coast.
The Washington Post reported the waterlogged system could dump up to six inches of rain and blast the coast with winds up to 60 mph. Regionwide, more than 70,000 customers lost power overnight, Boston Logan saw about 130 departures canceled, and Cape Cod ferry service was suspended amid rough seas.
What should East Coast residents do next?
Emergency officials urge people in flood-prone areas—including southern Queens, Long Island, and coastal New Jersey—to move vehicles to higher ground immediately and avoid driving through floodwaters. Hochul told New Yorkers to stay home and stay out of the water, saying anyone who goes in or near the water this weekend is "literally gambling with their life."
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont put the state's Emergency Operations Center into enhanced monitoring mode rather than a full emergency declaration. Airlines including United, Delta, American, and Southwest advised travelers to watch the shifting forecast closely.
For more coverage of storm impacts and resilience tools, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub as communities track alerts through the weekend.