New Jersey declares state of emergency as Nor’easter approaches | Weather in the United States
A nor’easter spread across the East Coast on Sunday, with New Jersey declaring a state of emergency and some airports posting delays and cancellations ahead of coastal flooding and high winds forecast, as another storm system hit farther south with heavy rain and flooding.
“The greatest effects will be the potential for coastal flooding, especially for areas from northeastern North Carolina north to much of the Jersey Shore,” said meteorologist Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
Heavy rain was also forecast in southeastern New England and the New York area, and some fell in coastal areas of South Carolina, Oravec said.
In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, an area that has suffered significant storm damage this season, ocean overflow was beginning to cross Highway 12 at a motel near Buxton, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday. The bureau urged travelers to be careful and put homeowners on alert as high tide approached.
Since Saturday evening, all of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency. It is expected to last until Monday, allowing state emergency services personnel to be activated if necessary.
Parts of the state are expected to experience moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 mph (97 km/h), up to 5 inches (about 13 cm) of rain and high surf, potentially causing beach erosion. Some volunteers placed sandbags on the beaches.
The National Weather Service placed New York City, Long Island and southern Westchester County under a coastal flood warning and wind advisory through at least Monday afternoon. Coastal areas of suburban Long Island could experience flooding, with up to 3 inches (about 8 cm) of rain and strong winds expected, the weather service said.
Wind gusts of more than 48 km/h were already recorded in the region on Sunday morning.
Area utilities added more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm.
“With warnings of high winds and the risk of flooding, remaining vigilant, remaining vigilant and taking preparedness measures is crucial to everyone’s safety,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Some flight delays and cancellations have been announced at airports from Washington, DC to Boston.
The storm is expected to move away by Monday evening.
