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 to declare a statewide emergency and put New York City, Long Island and southern Westchester under coastal flood warnings and wind advisories, with gusts up to 50–60 mph and locally heavy rain (3–5 inches) that forecasters say could produce moderate to major coastal flooding from northeastern North Carolina through much of New Jersey. The storm has already produced water rescues in Columbus County, N.C., and Georgetown, S.C., severe tidal flooding in Charleston (8.46 ft) with road closures, dune breaches and overwash on the Outer Banks threatening N.C. 12, high surf and dangerous rip currents, airport delays and extra utility crews staging for outages.
Public Safety
Climate
Environment
📌 Key Facts
- A powerful nor'easter is moving up the East Coast over the holiday weekend and is expected to move out by Monday night, prompting emergency measures across multiple states.
- New Jersey declared a statewide state of emergency; New York state declared states of emergency for NYC, Long Island and Westchester — utilities added more than 1,600 workers and volunteers were sandbagging beaches in preparation.
- The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings and wind advisories for NYC, Long Island, southern Westchester and much of the New Jersey coast, with gusts forecast generally in the 50–60 mph range (gusts already topping 30 mph in the morning).
- Forecasters warned of moderate to major coastal flooding — especially from northeastern North Carolina through much of the New Jersey coast (including Delaware and southern New Jersey) — with additional rounds of flooding expected during overnight and Monday high‑tide cycles; king tides are amplifying impacts.
- Heavy‑rain and flash‑flood risk spans the Carolinas into the Mid‑Atlantic: the Weather Prediction Center issued a Level 2/4 excessive rainfall risk for the Carolinas’ coast; forecasts include up to about 5 inches of rain in parts of New Jersey and roughly 3 inches on Long Island, with isolated inland flash flooding possible into southern New England.
- Significant coastal impacts already reported: Charleston, SC recorded an 8.46 ft high tide (the 13th highest on record) and about three dozen road closures; tidal flooding also closed roads along parts of the Georgia and Florida coasts.
- Rescues and overwash have occurred as the storm moved north: water rescues were reported in Columbus County, NC and Georgetown, SC; Dare County reported ocean overwash across N.C. Highway 12 near Buxton — the Outer Banks face additional dune breaches and ocean overwash and N.C. 12 is likely to close again after recent storms destroyed about 10 houses in the past month.
- High surf, dangerous rip currents and substantial beach erosion are forecast along most East Coast beaches, and airports from Washington, D.C. to Boston reported delays and some cancellations in advance of the storm.
📰 Sources (5)
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.