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 states of emergency in New Jersey and parts of New York as forecasters warned of moderate to major coastal flooding from northeastern North Carolina through New Jersey and Delaware, with wind gusts potentially reaching 50–60+ mph, dangerous surf and repeated high‑tide flooding expected to peak Monday afternoon. The storm has already produced water rescues in the Carolinas and South Carolina, closed sections of NC‑12 on Hatteras/Ocracoke, disrupted flights and travel, mobilized utility crews, and caused at least one fatality in Brooklyn after a wind‑blown solar panel struck a woman.
Climate
Environment
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- A powerful nor'easter moving up the East Coast from Florida (not tropical) — amplified by king tides — is producing major coastal flood risk from northeastern North Carolina through much of New Jersey and Delaware, with coastal flooding expected to peak Monday afternoon and gradually improve into Tuesday.
- New Jersey declared a statewide state of emergency to activate emergency services; New York state/city declared emergencies covering NYC, Long Island and Westchester (eight southern counties), the NYC Columbus Day Parade was canceled, and utilities added more than 1,600 workers in the New York area.
- Coastal flood warnings and wind advisories are in effect for NYC, Long Island and southern Westchester; forecasters warned gusts of roughly 50–60+ mph in places (gusts already topping 30–42 mph in Brooklyn), with reported wind damage including a 76‑year‑old Brooklyn woman killed when a solar panel blown from a carport struck her (incident at 3100 Ocean Parkway, just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday); city officials issued a partial vacate order for the parking lot and temporarily closed a nearby Q train entrance.
- Significant tidal flooding, overwash and road closures were reported along the Southeast coast and the Outer Banks: Charleston, SC recorded an 8.46 ft high tide (13th highest) with about three dozen road closures; ocean overwash occurred across NC Highway 12 near Buxton and NCDOT closed portions of NC‑12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras while working to clear overwash.
- The Weather Prediction Center/NWS warned of heavy rain and flash‑flood risk — up to about 5 inches in parts of New Jersey and up to 3 inches on Long Island — with a Level 2/4 excessive rainfall risk for the Carolinas’ coast and isolated flash flooding possible into the Mid‑Atlantic and southern New England.
- High surf, dangerous rip currents and substantial beach erosion are forecast along most East Coast beaches, and forecasters expect additional rounds of moderate to potentially major coastal flooding during overnight and Monday afternoon high‑tide cycles.
- Local responses included Delaware activating the National Guard and issuing a voluntary evacuation for Bowers Beach, volunteers sandbagging beaches, and water rescues reported in Columbus County, NC and Georgetown, SC as the storm moved north.
- Transportation and infrastructure impacts included widespread flight disruptions (FlightAware: 384 cancellations and 2,787 delays by midday Monday), 100+ downed trees reported citywide in NYC, and utilities and emergency crews staged for storm response.
- Status updates: minor to moderate flooding was reported in parts of New Jersey and New York City with no widespread major damage at the time of reporting, but officials continued to warn of elevated threats to life, property and coastal infrastructure through the next high‑tide cycles.
📰 Sources (8)
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.