A powerful storm moved slowly along the northeast U.S. coast on Saturday, causing high winds that led to power outages for tens of thousands of people. The storm also brought heavy rains and large waves, creating hazardous conditions in some areas. The nor’easter was expected to impact the mid-Atlantic and New England regions over the weekend, affecting millions of residents. Approximately 100,000 customers were without power in the affected region on Saturday.
The National Weather Service in College Park, Md., warned of continued high winds, high tides, and the possibility of heavy rain in the coming days for the northeastern U.S. In Surf City, New Jersey, streets were flooded and some homes were inundated with water. Kenny Formica, the owner of Surf City Marina, monitored rising water levels inside his marina through surveillance cameras, a rare occurrence according to him. He recalled a similar incident during Hurricane Sandy, which caused significant damage to his business.
Precautionary measures were taken ahead of the storm, with dock lines secured, loose items moved to safety, and vehicles placed at higher ground within the marina. Despite these efforts, Formica received distressing messages from customers reporting missing boats and Jet Skis. In Edgewater, N.J., waters from the Hudson River flooded a parking lot, partially submerging vehicles as residents scrambled to move them to safety.
The storm disrupted travel and events, with numerous flight cancellations at Boston Logan International Airport and popular tourist destinations in Massachusetts. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs rescheduled their baseball series due to the inclement weather, and singer Ed Sheeran called off his concerts at Gillette Stadium. In North Carolina, a highway closure affected a couple’s wedding plans, prompting a last-minute relocation and invitation for island residents to join the celebration.
Officials along the East Coast advised caution, emphasizing the unusual early arrival of the nor’easter in the fall season. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay vigilant and prepare for coastal flooding, heavy rains, strong winds, and high waves predicted to reach up to six meters.
