A powerful nor’easter has brought severe flooding, damaging winds and widespread disruption to the US East Coast, with more than 31 million people under coastal flood alerts. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were without power, while flights, ferries, sporting fixtures and concerts were cancelled.
The storm was intensifying rapidly and was expected to turn back towards the New Jersey coast on Saturday night before lingering in the area through Monday. Forecasters said the system was not expected to fully clear until Tuesday, prolonging the threat from rain, wind and high tides.
The National Weather Service warned of particularly dangerous flooding along the Mid-Atlantic coast, including New Jersey and Delaware. About 3.6 million people were under high wind warnings, while beach hazard or rip current advisories covered 15 million people and high surf advisories affected a further nine million.
More than 70,000 customers were reported to be without electricity on Saturday. Gale-force winds threatened to bring down trees, with rainfall of between one and three inches expected from the Philadelphia region into eastern New Jersey, and three to five inches possible across parts of Long Island and southern New England.
Nor’easter flooding submerges roads and homes
Coastal flooding was reported along the New Jersey and Delaware shorelines and around Delaware Bay, leaving numerous roads covered by water and impassable.
Some roads on Long Beach Island were submerged, while residents in Surf City saw floodwater rush through streets and into homes. Wind gusts there reached up to 74 miles per hour, according to local officials.
In Manasquan, Mayor Mike Mangan said he expected “a lot of water in the streets for a long time”. A voluntary evacuation was issued in some low-lying parts of the beachfront borough.
Sea Bright was preparing for winds of up to 50 miles per hour and flooding that could reach six feet on some streets. Mayor Brian Kelly said the worst conditions were expected by midday and that residents in vulnerable areas should consider leaving; the town’s recreation centre was being opened to evacuees.
“It’s going to be worse than average,” Mr Kelly said, comparing the potential impact with the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011. “I hope I’m wrong, but that’s my gut feeling.”
Persistent north-easterly winds had already pushed water into back bays and tidal waterways before the storm’s arrival. A full moon was expected to raise tides further, adding to the flood risk.
In Freeport on Long Island, crews built a sand wall along the beach to protect homes. Mayor Robert Kennedy said the severity of flooding would depend on whether the tide receded.
Strong winds were also expected to drive waves over seawalls, worsening flooding and causing beach erosion and breaches in sand dunes. On Massachusetts’ South Shore, Cohasset and Scituate were among the areas facing the heaviest conditions, with residents warning that large waves could strike homes along the coastline.
High winds disrupt travel and major events
Gusts of about 60 miles per hour were forecast along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, although some reports had already recorded winds above 70 miles per hour. Eastern Long Island and south-eastern New England could see gusts of between 45 and 65 miles per hour.
Residents of islands near Cape Cod travelled to the mainland as gusts approaching 60 to 65 miles per hour were forecast for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Inland areas were expected to experience gusts of up to 55 miles per hour.
Matthew Belk, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the fact that the storm arrived while trees were still fully covered in leaves could increase the risk of fallen branches. Saturated ground and strong winds could lead to further power cuts, blocked roads and property damage.
Major events were cancelled or rearranged across New England and New York. The Boston Red Sox moved their Sunday game against the Chicago Cubs to Friday as part of a split doubleheader, while Ed Sheeran cancelled shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Global Citizens Festival and All Things Go NYC were also cancelled in New York. At Boston Logan International Airport, 39 flights were cancelled between 6am and 10am on Saturday, with a further 12 delayed. New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport recorded 22 cancellations during the same period.
Ferry services to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were cancelled because of strong winds and rough seas, while services to Block Island in Rhode Island were also suspended. Several flights to the islands were cancelled, with further disruption expected into Saturday.
