Millions of people are under weather warnings as a powerful nor’easter moves up the East Coast, bringing severe flooding, powerful wind gusts up to 74 mph, and tens of thousands of power outages across New Jersey, New York, and surrounding states this weekend.
Millions of people faced flood alerts, heavy rain, and strong winds as a severe early-season nor’easter struck the East Coast on Saturday. Dangerous conditions arose as severe flooding already affected streets across New York and New Jersey while states of emergency were in place due to the combination of the storm and high tides. Offshore buoys near southern New England and the Jersey Shore documented wave heights reaching 16 feet or greater. Late Friday night, a weather station in Surf City, New Jersey, reported a wind gust of 74 mph. Other stations along the Jersey Shore have reported wind gusts of 60 mph or more. The winds toppled trees in New York City, with some landing on top of parked cars. Tidal flood waters peaked at moderate flood stage late Friday rose ahead of high tide later Saturday morning.
Saturday morning announcements from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who had previously enacted a state of emergency, warned reporters of impending heavy rainfall. With tonight's full moon, the tides may even be higher. We expect waves as tall as 20 feet in some areas. Winds will be just as powerful,
Governor Hochul said.
Severe Flooding Hits Coastal Communities in New Jersey and Delaware
Nor'easter brings powerful winds, severe flooding to the East
According to the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, severe coastal flooding conditions are anticipated to impact areas along the Delaware coast, New Jersey coast, and central and southern sections of Delaware Bay. Waves could reach up to 12 feet in some areas. Widespread power outages are expected. A high wind warning is in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday for the Delaware and New Jersey coasts, with wind gusts up to 60 mph. Drivers in these zones are instructed by the National Weather Service to find shelter, maintain slow speeds, and keep both hands on the wheel whenever travel is unavoidable. A wind advisory is in place for areas inland throughout the Philadelphia region. NWS recommends people bring inside any unsecured outdoor items and be cautious when driving.
Transit Systems and New York City Infrastructure Brace for Impact
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Metropolitan Transportation Authority representatives stated that as the nor’easter moves closer, strong winds present a larger hazard to city transit operations than flooding. For much of the summer, flash flooding was the major concern for New York City’s vast mass transit network. Instead, agency spokespersons noted that forecasts now indicate continuous high-velocity winds lasting 48 hours will be the primary obstacle.
We have areas throughout the system, the subway system, where you're in an open cut, a depressed area, and that there are trees right next to it. And frequently, those trees are old, and they're knocked down by the wind. That is the the biggest single concern that I see right now, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said
Operations for buses and trains are scheduled to continue throughout the event, though the MTA acknowledged that service suspensions remain a possibility. Agency representatives noted that pre-positioned assets, including generators and various equipment, had already been staged ahead of the storm.
Nor'easter brings strong winds, coastal flooding and high waves
Crews are being deployed at strategic locations across the entire MTA regional network, so they can respond quickly if and when there are any conditions, like downed trees,
Lieber said. This is, you know, a constant concern. We have debris trains, trucks, chainsaws ready to go. So, if and when that happens, we're ready.
Philadelphia Region Scrambles Weekend Events and Celebrations
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — An incoming nor’easter is prompting event organizers across the area to cancel, postpone, or adjust their schedules during what is normally a busy final weekend of September for outdoor gatherings.
It's such nice weather this week, I was hoping it would go through the weekend, but I don't think that's going to be the case, Hannah Sawn of Northern Liberties
Nor’easter hits Philadelphia region
The South Street Fall Festival, the Philadelphia Marathon KickOff Training Run, and the Bike MS City to Shore Ride are among the events that have been called off.
We had to take in the safety of not only businesses but our street and our residents and also our traveling vendors and had to make the really tough call, Eleanor Ingersoll
Some events are adapting instead of canceling. Brauhaus Schmitz’s Oktoberfest on South Street is among those adapting.