A powerful coastal storm is expected to move across 12 Northeastern states from Friday, bringing the threat of severe flooding, hurricane-strength wind gusts and widespread power outages.
The major nor’easter could dump several inches of rain from Virginia to Maine between Friday and Sunday night. Some areas of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts may receive up to eight inches.
A nor’easter is a large storm system that develops along the U.S. East Coast. Its name comes from the powerful northeast winds that sweep across the Mid-Atlantic and New England as low pressure strengthens over the Atlantic.
Weather models indicate that the storm could develop a hurricane-like eye as it strikes the East Coast this weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued broad coastal flooding and high-wind warnings across the region.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state is “preparing for the worst” and called on residents—particularly those in New York City and Long Island—to be ready for flooded roads and potentially deadly falling trees and power lines.
AccuWeather said the most extreme forecast could bring as much as 13 inches of rain and wind gusts reaching 80 mph. The highest risks are expected along the Massachusetts coastline and across eastern Long Island.
Officials have warned coastal areas of North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts that the storm could drive two to three feet of seawater onto land, creating life-threatening flooding.
Power failures are also possible in parts of New York, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, where strong winds could bring down trees and sever electrical lines.
Torrential rain and coastal flooding are forecast across 12 states in the Northeast and New England
The weekend nor’easter is expected to create dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions for people on East Coast beaches, as well as for ships and recreational boats in the Atlantic.
The NWS said waves off the Northeast coast could rise as high as 28 feet, posing a serious threat to vessels traveling between New Jersey and Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
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“Storm force winds and hazardous seas will capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility,” the NWS said. “Mariners should remain in port, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.”
Authorities have also issued urgent rip-current warnings for parts of North Carolina, the Jersey Shore and the greater New York City area. Beachgoers and swimmers are being urged to avoid the water from Friday through the weekend.
Rip currents are fast-moving, narrow channels that flow away from the beach and can quickly pull swimmers into deeper water.
The currents can be deadly, carrying people offshore and leaving them exhausted as they struggle to swim directly against the flow.
Nahant, a coastal community about eight miles from Boston, has shut all of its beaches. Fire department officials told Boston 25 News that entering the water during the storm could place people at “significant risk.”
The approaching nor’easter is already disrupting air travel in the Northeast, with initial delays reported at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
A ground stop linked to strong winds is in effect until at least 10:45 a.m. ET.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
Forecasts indicate that several feet of seawater could surge onto the East Coast from North Carolina to Maine
AccuWeather has warned that regional power outages are possible in New York and Massachusetts as winds knock down trees and cut power lines
Flooding began on Wednesday in the Mid-Atlantic, with neighborhoods in Virginia covered with inches of rain
