A state of emergency has been declared in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County in New York as a powerful nor’easter that was tearing up the East Coast slammed portions of the Northeast on Sunday and Monday with powerful winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement on Sunday evening.
“Due to the ongoing nor’easter, I’m declaring a State of Emergency for NYC, Long Island and Westchester,” she said in a post on X. “We’re ready to assist local partners as damaging winds and heavy rain move in, with the potential for flooding and power outages.”
Because of the inclement weather and the State of Emergency, New York City’s Columbus Day Parade was forced to be canceled.
“Due to the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency on the evening of October 12 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,” officials said in an announcement.
Officials said that the parade cannot be rescheduled and will be held again in 2026.
Video recorded in Freeport, New York, on Long Island, showed flooded streets as the nor’easter continued to impact the area on Sunday night and into Monday morning.
The nor’easter first slammed areas of the Southeast and Carolinas over the weekend, dumping several inches of rain and producing tropical-storm-force wind gusts from an already-battered North Carolina coast up to the Jersey Shore.
Because of the expected major coastal flooding and flooding rain, Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way said all 21 counties in New Jersey were in a statewide emergency that went into effect on Saturday due to the storm’s threat.
As of Monday morning, nearly 40,000 power outages were reported across four states, with most coming from Connecticut and New Jersey, according to PowerOutage.com.
Outer Banks blasted by powerful winds, flooding as nor’easter batters North Carolina coast
Residents along North Carolina’s Outer Banks saw more massive waves and coastal flooding due to the powerful nor’easter over the weekend, putting more homes in Buxton at risk of collapsing into the Atlantic.
Rodanthe and Buxton lost nine beachfront homes to the encroaching surf earlier this month, and several more are on the verge of collapsing.
Road crews with the Department of Transportation worked furiously to clear Highway 12 for the storm-battered areas of Hatteras Island. Parts of the highway were closed on Sunday due to significant flooding.
The road was also closed due to coastal flooding when hurricanes Imelda and Humberto kicked up surf that sent massive waves crashing on shore several weeks ago.
Delaware activates National Guard for nor’easter storm response
On Sunday, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced the activation of the Delaware National Guard to assist with the storm response as the powerful nor’easter battered the state.
Voluntary evacuation orders were also issued for portions of Bowers Beach due to the coastal flooding threat.
“DEMA has been coordinating with state and local officials since Friday in preparation for impacts from the storm and is pre-positioning Guard assets for deployment as needed,” DEMA said in a news release.
Officials said reception centers were open in Kent and Sussex counties, with shelter preparations underway, should they be needed.
“With continued concern for moderate to major coastal flooding, and damaging winds, there remains the potential for storm and wind-related tree damage, power outages, and roadway flooding with the possibility for more local evacuations,” officials said. “DEMA asks residents to stay informed and follow directives from local authorities throughout the remainder of the severe weather.”
Tropical-storm-force wind gusts blast coastal communities
As the nor’easter was making its way up the East Coast, tropical-storm-force wind gusts pummeled coastal communities from the Southeast through the mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast.
Strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding have all been reported during this fall storm.
More than 10 inches of rain was reported in portions of South Carolina, with widespread amounts of 4-5 inches reported across the rest of the Carolinas.
The winds were also whipping, with a 62-mph wind gust reported at Jennettes Pier, North Carolina, and a 61-mph wind gust at Cape Lookout, North Carolina.
Several other tropical-storm-force wind gusts were also reported in New Jersey.
Effects of nor’easter to last into Tuesday
The nor’easter will continue to impact communities across the Northeast and New England on Monday, and impacts are expected to continue into at least Tuesday.
The FOX Forecast Center said heavy rain and gusty winds are continuing to impact communities from Atlantic City in New Jersey northward along the Interstate 95 corridor through New York City, New Haven in Connecticut, Providence in Rhode Island and Boston.
Even inland communities are being blasted, with heavy rain reported in Hartford, Connecticut, and Albany, New York.
The winds have been dialed back a bit, and the storm isn’t expected to meander in the area for much longer before conditions begin to improve.
Coastal flooding is expected to peak early Monday when winds shift from onshore to more paralleling the coast. As that occurs, the shorelines will finally begin to see some relief.
It’s expected to be an all-day event for wind and rain across the region, although some parts of the Jersey Shore could see conditions improve later Monday.
But from Long Island to Boston, expect a washout and miserable day.
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