Nor’easter batters East Coast with flooding, damaging winds as Sunday threat looms
A powerful nor’easter continued to impact the East Coast Saturday, bringing strong winds, coastal flooding, beach erosion and power outages from North Carolina to New England.
The threat will linger overnight and into Sunday, as high-tide cycles continue to raise the risk of coastal flooding.
Flooding was reported in several coastal communities across numerous states, while roads closed and downed trees damaged vehicles in areas along the East Coast.
Thousands of customers remained without power across the Northeast, while air travel was also affected by strong winds, heavy rain and reduced operating capacity.
A 56-year-old man was killed by a falling tree in Brooklyn, according to the New York City Police Department.
On the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Hatteras Island was placed under a state of emergency after damage to N.C. Highway 12 cut off road access to the island.
The threat continues into the weekend.
Additional impacts are possible Sunday as an upper-level low will dig south of the nor’easter and pull the storm west toward the Jersey Shore.
Strong winds will continue across the New York City metropolitan area, Long Island, southern New England and parts of Vermont and New Hampshire.
The storm is expected to weaken Sunday afternoon, with wind gusts dropping below 40 mph in most areas by Sunday night.
Rain will continue across the Northeast and New England through the day and into the overnight hours.
New Jersey, New York City and Long Island could see another period of gusty winds Sunday morning as the low moves closer to the coast.
Wind gusts over 50 mph are likely, with higher gusts over 65 mph possible. Heavy rain and coastal flooding are also possible around the midday high tide.
Eastern Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island could see additional rain bands and wind gusts near 60 mph.
High tides and water trapped along the coast could maintain a threat for coastal flooding and beach erosion through the morning and evening high-tide cycles. Additional rainfall could also worsen inland flooding.
From Delaware to the Outer Banks, winds could gust over 40 mph in Maryland and Delaware, with lower wind speeds farther south.
Rain should gradually taper, but elevated water levels could continue to produce moderate coastal flooding through the morning high tide.
The FOX Forecast Center warns that coastal flooding, strong winds, rough surf and rain will remain concerns into Sunday.
Stay with FOX Weather for continuing coverage of the nor’easter and its impacts across the East Coast.
