BOSTON, United States – A powerful early-season nor’easter continued to bring flooding, heavy rain and strong winds across the U.S. Northeast on Monday, with coastal communities from New Jersey to New England facing another round of high-tide flooding as the slow-moving storm gradually weakened.
The storm had already caused widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages and major travel disruptions across the region. The National Weather Service said the system would continue producing coastal flooding and heavy rain through Monday before conditions gradually improve.
At least one person died in New York City after a falling tree struck a 56-year-old man in Brooklyn on Saturday. The New York City Housing Authority identified the victim as an employee of the agency.
Flooding remains the main concern
The nor’easter has repeatedly pushed seawater toward vulnerable coastal communities while high tides have amplified the flooding.
In parts of New Jersey, water covered streets and entered businesses and homes. The National Weather Service warned that another round of coastal flooding could occur as high tides continued through the storm’s slow retreat.
The storm’s timing also coincided with unusually high tides associated with the full moon, increasing the amount of water pushed onto coastal areas. Forecasters said moderate inundation remained possible from the Jersey Shore northward toward the Massachusetts coast.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said strong wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph remained possible from New Jersey to Long Island, while heavy rain could produce additional inland flooding from northern New Jersey into southern New England.
In southern New England, the Boston/Norton forecast office said winds had eased but windswept rain, minor coastal flooding and beach erosion would continue into Monday. Localized urban and street flooding remained possible.
A slow-moving storm keeps the Northeast under pressure
Unlike a fast-moving storm that passes within several hours, this nor’easter has remained near the coast for an extended period.
The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system had moved toward the New Jersey coastline and was expected to weaken while slowly shifting back toward southern New England before moving away Monday night.
That prolonged circulation has allowed repeated periods of rain and coastal impacts.
Southern New England was expected to receive additional bands of moderate to heavy rain, with localized flash flooding possible in urban areas, roads and other places where drainage is already strained.
Forecasters said the most severe winds were already easing, but saturated ground and trees still carrying leaves could increase the risk of additional tree damage and power outages.
Power and travel disrupted
The storm knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of customers across the Northeast, with outages exceeding 100,000 during the weekend. Power disruptions were reported across parts of New Jersey, New York and New England.
Strong winds also brought down trees and utility lines.
In New York City, authorities reported hundreds of downed trees by Sunday morning. The falling-tree death in Brooklyn underscored the danger posed by prolonged winds in heavily populated areas.
Air travel was also disrupted.
Hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands delayed during the weekend as airports across the Northeast dealt with wind, rain and deteriorating conditions. Boston Logan International Airport experienced particularly significant disruption.
Road travel was affected by flooding, debris and slick conditions along portions of the Interstate 95 corridor and other major routes.
Dangerous surf stretches along the coast
The storm has also produced large waves, strong rip currents and significant beach erosion along the Atlantic coast.
Buoys recorded waves of 16 feet or more off portions of the Jersey Shore and southern New England during the storm.
The National Weather Service warned that dangerous surf and rip currents could continue from the Carolinas through the Mid-Atlantic and into southern New England.
Coastal flooding has been particularly difficult for communities where roads, homes, businesses and other infrastructure sit only slightly above normal high-water levels.
Conditions expected to improve
The storm is expected to gradually lose strength as it moves away from the Northeast.
The Boston/Norton National Weather Service office said rain should taper Monday night, with some showers potentially continuing into early Tuesday in eastern Massachusetts. It expects a marked improvement by Tuesday.
The Weather Prediction Center likewise said the nor’easter would continue producing impacts through Monday before the system weakens and moves northeastward toward the Gulf of Maine.
That does not mean all flooding will immediately disappear.
Water levels can remain elevated through successive high-tide cycles, while saturated ground can continue producing localized flooding after the heaviest rain has ended.
For communities along the Northeast coast, the immediate concern is therefore shifting from the storm’s strongest winds toward the remaining high tides, rain and flooding as the system finally pulls away.
Reporting Credit: National Weather Service / NOAA — storm track, coastal-flooding, rainfall and wind forecasts; National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center — regional forecast and hazard assessment; National Weather Service Boston/Norton — southern New England forecast and flood impacts; New York City Office of Emergency Management and New York City Housing Authority — New York City storm impacts and fatality information.
