Nor'easter Causes Flooding and Power Outages in Northeast U.S.

BOSTON (AP) — A slow-moving, powerful storm affected the U.S. Northeast on Saturday, producing high winds that caused power outages and heavy rains that created dangerous conditions. Tens of millions of people were in the path of the nor'easter, which was expected to impact the mid-Atlantic area and New England throughout the weekend. At one point, electricity was disrupted for about 100,000 customers in the region. The National Weather Service's lead forecaster, Bob Oravec, indicated that there would be ongoing high winds, high tides, and heavy rain for the northeastern U.S. over the next few days. The highest tides were predicted to occur north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, from Saturday night into Sunday, raising concerns about widespread road flooding in coastal and bayside communities. New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned, "Anyone who goes in or near the water this weekend is literally gambling with their life." In Long Island, New York, residents were seen kayaking down flooded streets. In Surf City, New Jersey, marina owner Kenny Formica observed water rising inside his facility, noting that such an event was rare and last occurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused significant damage. Formica reported that customers were missing boats and Jet Skis, with one customer sharing a video of a 25-foot boat that had blown off its lift. In Ocean City, Maryland, heavy surf led to beach erosion and flooding in residential areas. Norfolk, Virginia, experienced isolated flooding, with residents reporting vehicles getting stuck on roads. The storm disrupted travel plans, resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations at Boston Logan International Airport and other locations. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs adjusted their schedules to avoid the storm, and Ed Sheeran canceled concerts in Foxborough, Massachusetts. A wedding in North Carolina was also affected by flooding-related highway closures, prompting local organizers to offer alternative arrangements. The National Weather Service noted that while nor'easters are common in New England during fall, this storm may be occurring earlier than usual. The slow movement of the storm could exacerbate beach erosion due to prolonged exposure to strong winds and waves. State officials along the East Coast advised caution, emphasizing that coastal flooding was a significant threat, along with heavy rains and powerful winds. Ferry operations between Patchogue and Fire Island were paused due to the storm. Associated Press writers contributed to this report.