Nor’easter Shuts Down Roads and Knocks Out Power Along East Coast
NEW YORK, N.Y. — A powerful nor’easter has slammed the East Coast from the Carolinas to New England, flooding neighborhoods, cutting power to tens of thousands, and disrupting travel across the region. The storm, which intensified over the weekend, remained a major threat into Monday as coastal areas continued to battle rising tides and strong winds.
Widespread Flooding and Travel Chaos
According to The Weather Channel, the nor’easter brought heavy rain, 60+ mph winds, and historic tidal surges to multiple states. Floodwaters reached mailboxes and doorsteps in parts of New Jersey, where neighborhoods in Tuckerton Beach saw water levels nearly covering fire hydrants.
In New York and Massachusetts, airport delays mounted as gusty winds and low visibility forced hundreds of flight cancellations.
- Boston Logan Airport: 76 delays, 43 cancellations
- LaGuardia Airport: 94 delays, 21 cancellations
Elsewhere, roads were shut down due to flooding and debris, including portions of North Carolina’s Highway 12, where ocean waves repeatedly washed over the Outer Banks.
States Declare Emergencies
Governors in New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency as coastal towns faced worsening inundation.
“Safety is our top priority — we’re asking everyone to stay cautious until the storm passes,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul, emphasizing that conditions remained unstable through Monday.
New Jersey’s shore towns, including Barnegat Bay and Harvey Cedars, saw tides peaking near 5.5 feet, enough to flood streets and damage vulnerable properties. Meteorologists warned that life-threatening water levels could isolate coastal neighborhoods during high tide cycles.
Power Outages and High Winds
By Monday morning, nearly 50,000 homes and businesses across the East Coast were without electricity, with the largest outages reported in New Jersey (18,000), Connecticut (11,500), and New York (10,000).
Peak wind gusts recorded by meteorologists included:
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts: 65 mph
- Island Beach State Park, New Jersey: 62 mph
- Jennette’s Pier, North Carolina: 62 mph
- McClellanville, South Carolina: 56 mph
Officials also confirmed at least one tragic incident connected to the storm — a plane crash on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which killed two people when a small aircraft caught fire on impact amid heavy rain and wind.
Flooding Persists Into Tuesday
The National Weather Service said conditions would gradually improve by Tuesday, though some river gauges could remain in moderate flood stage for another day. Scattered coastal flood advisories and high surf warnings remain in effect across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, particularly for New Jersey, Long Island, and Cape Cod.
Meteorologist Robert Shackelford told Weather.com, “If you’ve been wondering if we’re out of the woods yet — the answer is almost.”
Communities Brace for Cleanup
Emergency shelters, such as Atlantic City’s Convention Center, remained open through Monday to assist displaced residents. Across the region, first responders continued checking homes, clearing debris, and warning drivers to stay off flooded roads.
With rainfall totals exceeding 11 inches in parts of South Carolina and nearly 8 inches in southeastern North Carolina, cleanup and damage assessments are expected to take several days.
For ongoing storm updates and recovery news, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
