A strong coastal storm with intense winds and possible flooding has led to a state of emergency being declared in New York City as severe weather impacts the US.

Coastal flood warnings are in effect for Long Island, New York City, and Southern Westchester County from 12pm Sunday until 8pm Monday.

The National Weather Service has also issued a high wind warning for much of Suffolk County, along with a wind advisory for the remainder of Long Island, New York City, and Southern Westchester County.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for eight counties in southern New York, advising residents to prepare for flooding and power outages as the storm approaches the city.

“As the Nor’easter continues making its way through New York, I’m declaring a state of emergency across boroughs and counties most impacted by the storm,” Hochul stated in a release.

‘The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I continue to urge extreme caution until the storm has passed through the state.’ 

Winds of up to 60mph and heavy rains – reaching between 1.5 and 3 inches – are expected across areas of the state. 

Around 1,600 additional utility workers have been made available since Friday to respond to potential outages, she added. 

Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Kennedy Airport saw 18 cancelled flights and more than 200 delays by late Sunday evening, according to FlightAware. 

The emergency declaration forced organizers of the city’s 81st annual Columbus Day Parade to cancel.

‘Due to the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency this evening in response to the dangerous weather conditions brought on by the Nor’easter, including high winds, heavy rain and flooding in surrounding areas, we must cancel the 81st Annual Columbus Day Parade for the safety of all participants and viewers,’ organizers told Fox 5. 

‘While we cannot reschedule this year’s parade, we look forward to seeing everyone at our 82nd annual parade in 2026.’ 

Coastal areas across South Carolina and up to New England are predicted to be hit with two to four inches of rainfall over the next few days. 

 The announcement comes after New Jersey’s acting governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency ahead of the oncoming storm.

‘I urge all New Jerseyans to exercise caution, monitor local weather forecasts and warnings, stay informed on evacuation protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary,’ Way said. 

The emergency took effect from 10pm on Saturday. Maryland Governor Wes Moore told residents to stay vigilant along the coast and inland.

Video in Avalon saw large waves battering New Jersey and lapping over the Townsends Inlet Bridge, as well as streets submerged by the rising water levels. 

‘Our beaches are taking a big hit,’ Mayor John McCorristin of Avalon told the New York Times on Sunday afternoon. According to McCorristin, waves reached around six to ten feet high. 

The unnamed storm sent sea water again into Charleston, South Carolina, where three dozen roads were closed as floodwaters reached well above ankles before receding.

Friday morning’s high tide reached 8.46 feet which was the 13th highest in more than a century of recorded data in Charleston Harbor. 

Authorities in Georgetown, South Carolina, rescued several motorists trapped in flooding on Sunday morning after nearly 10 inches of rain fell over 24 hours Saturday into Sunday, Georgetown County Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis told CNN. 

The persistent, strong winds from the unnamed nor’easter and unusually high tides, when the moon is closer than usual to the Earth, had forecasters predicting more problems this weekend along the North Carolina Outer Banks.

A series of storms that moved well offshore have destroyed 10 houses in the past month and breached dunes. The pilings of some homes in Buxton were already in the waves before the worst of the storm.

Officials warned highway NC 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands would likely have to close again because of ocean over wash.

Forecasters warned residents on the shores of Delaware and New Jersey to prepare for major coastal flooding with water levels rising to levels not seen in nearly a decade.

The flooding could submerge roads and homes while also causing beach erosion.

Gusts over 30 mph have been already measured near the North Carolina coast. Further north, a high wind watch was issued for parts of New York City and Long Island where forecasters warned gusts of up to 60 mph were possible Sunday.

In New York, flooding could reach between 1.5 feet to 2 feet.

The storms sent heavy rainfall to Florida on Friday and further soaking coastal Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia on Saturday.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency activated the state National Guard to help with any storm-related issues, according to a release.

Around 10,000 customers in North Carolina and 5,000 in New Jersey were left without power on Sunday night, according to Poweroutage.us.