Nor’easter batters East Coast: NJ/NYC emergencies, Carolinas water rescues, major coastal‑flood risk
A powerful nor’easter moving up the East Coast prompted New Jersey’s statewide state of emergency and multiple local declarations — including coastal flood warnings and wind advisories for New York City, Long Island and southern Westchester — as forecasters warned of moderate to major coastal flooding from northeastern North Carolina through much of New Jersey, with gusts of 50–60 mph and king tides amplifying impacts into Monday afternoon. The storm has produced ocean overwash and closures on NC Highway 12, water rescues in North and South Carolina, voluntary evacuations and National Guard activation in Delaware, widespread flight disruptions (roughly 384 cancellations and 2,787 delays), and at least one fatality in Brooklyn after a flying solar panel struck a 76‑year‑old woman.
Environment
Public Safety
Climate
📌 Key Facts
- The NWS warned of major coastal flooding from northeastern North Carolina through much of New Jersey, with additional rounds of moderate to potentially major flooding expected during overnight and Monday high‑tide cycles and peak impacts forecast for Monday afternoon (king tides amplifying impacts).
- States of emergency and storm responses were activated across the region: New Jersey issued a statewide state of emergency; New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared emergencies for eight southern counties and parts of NYC/Long Island/Westchester were under coastal flood warnings and wind advisories; Delaware activated the National Guard and issued a voluntary evacuation for Bowers Beach.
- The Carolina coast saw significant impacts and rescues: ocean overwash across NC Highway 12 near Buxton, NCDOT closures on Ocracoke and Hatteras, dune breaches and beach erosion on the Outer Banks, and reported water rescues in Columbus County, NC and Georgetown, SC (context also noted that 10 houses had been destroyed by recent offshore storms in the past month).
- Charleston, SC recorded an 8.46‑foot high tide (the 13th highest on record) with roughly three dozen road closures before waters receded; tidal flooding also closed roads along parts of the Georgia and Florida coasts.
- High winds and dangerous surf affected the Northeast: wind watches/advisories for NYC, Long Island and southern New England with gusts up to 50–60+ mph possible, numerous downed trees reported in NYC (100+), utilities added more than 1,600 workers in the New York area, and widespread dangerous surf and rip currents with substantial beach erosion were forecast.
- Human impacts and disruptions included at least one storm‑related death in Brooklyn when a flying solar panel struck a 76‑year‑old woman (partial vacate orders and temporary transit closures followed), cancellation of New York City’s Columbus Day Parade, and major flight disruptions (about 384 cancellations and 2,787 delays by midday Monday, with Boston Logan and LaGuardia notably affected).
- Forecasters also highlighted inland and flash‑flood risks: the Weather Prediction Center put a Level 2/4 excessive rainfall risk along the Carolinas’ coast with isolated flash flooding possible into the Mid‑Atlantic and southern New England, and guidance called for gradual improvement into Tuesday after the storm moves offshore.
📰 Sources (9)
Photos: Powerful storm pummels U.S. East Coast
New information:
- Article documents ongoing flooding in NYC/NJ on Oct. 13 and notes impacts extending into early Tuesday.
- Axios reports there were no immediate casualty reports tied to the East Coast storm as of publication.
Dozens rescued as remnants of typhoon hits Alaska while nor’easter brings flooding to East Coast
New information:
- Flight disruptions tallied: 384 cancellations and 2,787 delays by midday Monday, with Boston Logan and LaGuardia notably affected (FlightAware).
- New York City’s Columbus Day Parade was canceled due to the storm.
- NCDOT closed portions of NC Highway 12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras and was working to clear overwash; ocean overwash reported near Buxton.
- NWS guidance: coastal flooding expected to peak Monday afternoon with gradual improvement into Tuesday; wind gusts >55 mph possible for NJ, Long Island and southern New England; dangerous surf and rip currents expected to continue.
- Status update: minor to moderate flooding reported in parts of NJ and NYC, with no major damage noted at the time.
NYC woman killed by flying solar panel during nor'easter
New information:
- A 76-year-old woman in Brooklyn died after a solar panel torn from a carport by high winds flew ~20 feet and struck her; she later died at the hospital.
- Incident location and time: 3100 Ocean Parkway, just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
- NYC Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order for the parking lot and officials temporarily closed a nearby Q train entrance.
- Citywide impacts cited include 100+ downed trees and an unofficial peak wind gust of 42 mph in Brooklyn, with a Coastal Flood Warning remaining in effect.
Dozens rescued as typhoon remnants hit Alaska; nor'easter brings floods to East Coast
New information:
- NWS warns major coastal flooding likely Monday from VA to NJ; peak Monday afternoon with gradual improvement into Tuesday.
- Wind gusts >55 mph possible in NJ, Long Island, and southern New England; dangerous surf and rip currents continue.
- NY Gov. Kathy Hochul declares emergency for eight southern counties; NYC Columbus Day Parade canceled.
- Delaware activates National Guard; voluntary evacuation issued for Bowers Beach.
- Outer Banks: overwash across NC Highway 12 near Buxton; NCDOT reports closures on Ocracoke and Hatteras.
Powerful nor'easter storm threatens U.S. East Coast with flooding rains
New information:
- States of emergency cover NYC, Long Island and Westchester per Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said the state is ready to assist local partners.
- Water rescues reported in Columbus County, North Carolina, and Georgetown, South Carolina on Sunday as the storm moved north.
- NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly reported tidal flooding across Delaware and southern New Jersey and warned of 50–60 mph coastal wind gusts.
- NWS expects additional rounds of Moderate to potentially Major coastal flooding during overnight and Monday afternoon high‑tide cycles.
- NWS Weather Prediction Center issued a Level 2/4 excessive rainfall risk along the Carolinas’ coast; isolated flash flooding possible into the Mid‑Atlantic and southern New England.
- High surf and dangerous rip currents forecast along most East Coast beaches with substantial beach erosion ongoing in some areas.
New Jersey declares state of emergency as nor’easter moves up East Coast
New information:
- NWS meteorologist Bob Oravec detailed that the greatest effects will be coastal flooding from northeastern North Carolina through much of the New Jersey coast.
- Dare County Sheriff’s Office reported ocean overwash across NC Highway 12 near Buxton and warned travelers as high tide approached.
- Utilities added more than 1,600 workers in the New York area to respond to the storm.
- NWS specified coastal flood warnings and wind advisories for NYC, Long Island and southern Westchester through at least Monday afternoon, with gusts already topping 30 mph Sunday morning.
New Jersey declares state of emergency as nor'easter approaches
New information:
- New Jersey placed under a statewide state of emergency Saturday night through Monday to activate emergency services.
- Forecast specifics for NJ: moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 mph, up to 5 inches of rain, and high surf with potential beach erosion; volunteers sandbagging beaches.
- NWS put New York City under a coastal flood warning and wind advisory through at least Monday afternoon; Long Island coastal flooding possible with up to 3 inches of rain.
- Airports from Washington, D.C., to Boston reported delays and some cancellations in advance of the storm.
- NWS meteorologist Bob Oravec emphasized greatest coastal flooding risk from northeastern North Carolina to much of the New Jersey coast; storm expected to move out by Monday night.
Nameless nor’easter expected to bring ocean flooding and high winds to the East Coast
New information:
- Charleston, SC recorded an 8.46 ft high tide (13th highest on record) with three dozen road closures before waters receded.
- Tidal flooding also closed roads along parts of the Georgia and Florida coasts.
- Forecasters warn major coastal flooding for Delaware and New Jersey as the storm moves north over the holiday weekend.
- High wind watch issued for parts of New York City and Long Island with gusts up to 60 mph possible on Sunday.
- North Carolina’s Outer Banks face additional dune breaches and ocean overwash; N.C. 12 on Hatteras/Ocracoke likely to close again; 10 houses destroyed by recent offshore storms in the past month.
- King tides are amplifying coastal impacts; the storm is not tropical but is moving up the coast from Florida.
- Context: Tropical Storm Jerry caused deadly flooding in Guadeloupe; Subtropical Storm Karen quickly lost characteristics; remnants of Priscilla to bring heavy rain to the U.S. Southwest with flood watches in AZ/CA/NV.