Summary (tl;dr)

A powerful and slow-moving nor'easter is currently battering the U.S. East Coast, causing severe coastal flooding, high winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread power outages across New Jersey, New York, and New England.

Essential Background

A nor'easter is a large-scale extratropical cyclone in the western North Atlantic Ocean, named for the strong northeasterly winds it brings to coastal areas. These storms typically form within 100 miles of the shore between Georgia and New Jersey and can occur at any time of year, though they are most frequent and intense from September to April. Nor'easters develop when cold Arctic air from Canada collides with warm, moist air over the Atlantic Gulf Stream, leading to rapid intensification and the potential for heavy rain or snow, hurricane-force winds, coastal flooding, and erosion. This particular storm is considered an early-season nor'easter, making its current intensity notable for late September.

The Full Story

Millions of people from the Mid-Atlantic to New England are currently under weather warnings and alerts as a powerful nor'easter impacts the region through the weekend of September 26, 2026. The storm has brought damaging wind gusts up to 60-70 mph in coastal areas, with reports of up to 74 mph in Surf City, New Jersey. Heavy rainfall, with totals of 2-4 inches expected in the New York City tristate area and northern New Jersey, and 4-6 inches in southeast Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and eastern Connecticut, is contributing to the dangerous conditions.

Coastal flooding is a significant concern, with moderate to locally major inundation expected during high tide cycles, particularly along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, Long Island, and the south shore of Queens, Nassau, and southwestern Suffolk counties. Images from affected areas show flooded streets and submerged cars. Tens of thousands of residents across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have experienced power outages. Both New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill have declared states of emergency in several counties, urging residents to stay home and avoid travel. Voluntary evacuations have been recommended for low-lying areas in towns like Manasquan, New Jersey, where tides are forecast to run 4 feet above normal.

Why It Matters

This nor'easter is causing significant disruption and danger across a heavily populated stretch of the East Coast. The combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall poses risks of downed trees, structural damage, and widespread power loss, impacting daily life for millions. Severe coastal flooding threatens homes and businesses, making many roadways impassable and increasing the risk of beach erosion. The slow movement and prolonged duration of the storm mean these impacts are extended, potentially worsening conditions through the weekend. The declaration of states of emergency underscores the severity of the situation and the need for residents to prioritize safety and heed official warnings.

Geographic Location

• Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Burlington County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Cape May County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Ocean County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared, coastal flooding, beach erosion)
• Salem County, New Jersey, United States (state of emergency declared)
• Point Pleasant, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States (submerged cars in flooded streets)
• Manasquan, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States (significant flooding, voluntary evacuation recommended)
• Surf City, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States (streets flooded, homes inundated, wind gusts up to 74 mph)
• Ship Bottom, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States (roads submerged, bracing for winds up to 50 mph and 6 feet of flooding)
• Edgewater, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States (parking lot flooded along Hudson River)
• New York City, New York, United States (ripped down trees, moderate to severe coastal flooding expected, state of emergency)
• Queens, New York, New York, United States (severe coastal flooding projected along south shore)
• Nassau County, New York, United States (severe coastal flooding projected along south shore)
• Suffolk County, New York, United States (severe coastal flooding projected along southwestern parts)
• Long Island, New York, United States (streets engulfed with water, power outages, moderate to severe coastal flooding)
• Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States (high wind warnings, rainfall, flight delays, event cancellations)
• Nantucket, Nantucket County, Massachusetts, United States (wind gusts up to 62 mph, flight delays and cancellations)
• Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States (wind gusts up to 55 mph)
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States (rainfall, high winds, island residents headed to mainland)
• Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States (flight cancellations)
• Rhode Island, United States (4 to 6 inches of rain likely, flood watch, coastal flood alerts)
• Eastern Connecticut, United States (4 to 6 inches of rain likely, power outages, moderate to severe coastal flooding)
• Bethany Beach, Sussex County, Delaware, United States (wind gusts up to 58 mph, roadways flooding)
• Delaware Bay, United States (widespread tidal flooding)
• Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States (early stages of nor'easter with surf breaks along coastline)