A powerful nor’easter continued to hammer the Northeast on Sunday, bringing severe flooding, strong winds, and widespread power outages to coastal communities. The storm left streets underwater, damaged homes, and disrupted travel across several states.
Residents along the shoreline faced a second day of difficult conditions as the slow-moving weather system remained over the region. High tides combined with heavy rain to create dangerous flooding in many low-lying areas.
In New Jersey, coastal towns experienced repeated flooding throughout the weekend. Water returned during each high tide, making recovery difficult for homeowners and businesses.
Sea Bright resident Caroline Virenius said her property flooded several times as the tide continued to rise. Water filled her garage and remained a constant concern.
Many residents described the storm as one of the most serious weather events in recent years. Areas that often deal with flooding saw water levels reach unusual heights.
The storm also brought powerful winds to parts of New York. On Long Island, strong gusts knocked down trees and utility poles. Several homes suffered damage as falling trees struck buildings and nearby structures.
Officials confirmed that the storm claimed the life of a New York City Housing Authority worker on Saturday. The worker died after a tree fell during the severe weather.
Forecasters said the nor’easter would continue to affect the region through Sunday before slowly weakening. Heavy rain, rough surf, and strong winds stretched from the Mid-Atlantic coast into New England.
Some parts of New Jersey recorded more than four inches of rain since Friday. The large amount of rainfall combined with ocean water pushed inland by strong winds. This created extensive flooding across coastal communities.
Weather experts warned that even as rainfall decreased, flooding threats would remain because of elevated tides. Local officials encouraged residents to stay alert and avoid flooded roads.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said another part of the storm could move through the area later in the day. While weaker than earlier bands, it still had the potential to produce additional rain and flooding.
Power outages affected a large number of customers across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. More than 100,000 homes and businesses lost electricity at various points during Sunday.
The largest outages were reported in coastal counties from New Jersey to Connecticut. Utility crews worked throughout the day to restore service despite difficult weather conditions.
Air travel also faced major disruptions. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at airports across the East Coast.
Boston Logan International Airport reported more than 250 flight cancellations by late Sunday morning. Strong winds created difficult conditions for airline operations and passengers.
Meteorologists said the heaviest remaining rainfall was expected from northern New Jersey into southern New England. Flooding remained the primary concern for emergency officials.
National Weather Service forecasters noted that tidal flooding could continue through several high tide cycles. Residents in vulnerable areas were advised to prepare for more water even as the storm weakened.
In New York City, several streets in the Howard Beach neighborhood were covered by a few inches of water. Despite the flooding, some residents continued daily activities and visited local shops and cafes.
In North Beach Haven, New Jersey, local business owner Carole Ann Palmer said the flooding was the worst she had seen in a decade. She watched water levels continue to rise throughout Saturday.
The storm swept away the front step of her property. Palmer also saw people using kayaks to move through flooded streets.
Floodwater created challenges for everyday tasks. Palmer said she had to wear waders and carry her two puppies across flooded areas so they could reach dry ground.
Sea Bright resident Bernard Dowd also dealt with significant flooding. He returned home on Saturday and found his basement filled with water.
Despite the damage, Dowd said the community was better prepared than it had been years ago. Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, many homes were rebuilt at higher elevations.
Residents believe those improvements helped reduce the impact of the latest storm. Even so, communities across the Northeast remained cautious as officials monitored weather conditions and upcoming high tides.
As the nor’easter slowly moved away, emergency crews continued recovery efforts. Residents hoped improving weather would allow floodwaters to recede and help communities begin the cleanup process.
