New Jersey: A powerful nor’easter is bringing coastal flooding, strong winds, heavy rain, and widespread travel disruptions to the northeastern United States, affecting millions of people across the region.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) warned of dangerous coastal flooding and beach conditions, along with strong winds and heavy rainfall across areas including New York City and Boston. States of emergency have been declared in New York and New Jersey, where several coastal communities have experienced significant flooding.
Floodwater inundated coastal streets and homes in parts of New Jersey, including Surf City and Manasquan. Officials have warned residents in low-lying areas to prepare for further flooding, with roads, homes, and businesses potentially affected.
Outages and disruptions
nor’easter has also caused widespread power outages. More than 100,000 households, most of them in the northeastern US, were without electricity, according to PowerOutage. The Federal Aviation Administration advised passengers to check with airlines for the latest flight information, while FlightAware reported more than 2,400 delays and 1,199 cancellations.
The NWS stated that the September 26 full moon could contribute to worsening coastal flooding. In New York, officials warned of wind gusts reaching up to 55mph (86km/h), with the possibility of fallen trees and power lines.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and warned people not to drive or walk through floodwater. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also called on residents to remain alert and follow local guidance.
The severe weather has disrupted several major events. Ed Sheeran’s scheduled concert at Gillette Stadium near Boston was cancelled for safety reasons, while the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park was also called off.
The Boston Red Sox postponed their final game against the Chicago Cubs, moving it to September 27 afternoon in Florida. A professional football match between Red Bull New York and St Louis City SC was also cancelled due to the nor’easter.
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