Nor'easter storm brings coastal flooding, as New York and New Jersey declare emergency
Tens of millions of people from Maine to Virginia are in the path of the powerful storm.
A nor’easter is driving coastal flooding as New York and New Jersey declare emergencies
Surf City, New Jersey, was among the coastal areas hit by flooding
Tens of millions of people in the north-eastern US are in the path of a powerful storm this weekend that has already caused coastal flooding, power outages, travel disruption and the cancellation of stadium events.
The so-called nor’easter is expected to peak on Saturday and will "bring dangerous coastal flooding and beach conditions, strong winds, and heavy rainfall" to places including New York City and Boston, the US National Weather Service (NWS) said.
New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency, with New Jersey already seeing coastal flooding in some areas. Rain and strong winds are forecast from Virginia to Maine.
Ed Sheeran’s highly anticipated concert in Boston was among the events cancelled.
The nor’easter is already leading to widespread power outages. Nearly 150,000 households have lost electricity so far, according to poweroutageus.
The Federal Aviation Administration advised passengers to check with airlines about their flight status. FlightAware said more than 1,100 flights have been delayed and another 400 cancelled.
Saturday’s full moon is expected to make coastal flooding worse. Streets and homes were inundated on Saturday in the New Jersey coastal communities of Surf City and Manasquan.
"I urge all New Jerseyans to take this storm seriously, stay alert, and follow local guidance," Governor Mikie Sherrill said.
In its alert, the NWS said: "Prepare immediately for significant inundation in low-lying areas near the shore, including roads underwater and impacts to homes and businesses."
In New York, officials are warning of wind gusts of up to 55mph (86km/h) through the weekend, which could bring down trees and cause power outages.
"Don't travel if you don't have to," Mayor Zohran Mamdani told residents in a video message. "Do not drive or walk through floodwater."
In the Boston area, the Red Sox moved their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs from Sunday afternoon game to next Friday.
A professional football match between Red Bull New York and St Louis City SC was also cancelled.
The Global Citizen Festival concert in New York City’s Central Park, which was due to be headlined by Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and John Legend, is also not going ahead.
Sheeran’s concert at Gillette Stadium in the Boston area was cancelled for safety reasons, the venue said.