A powerful nor’easter is hammering the East Coast, prompting evacuation warnings, beach closures, flight delays and fears of flooding and widespread power outages from the Mid-Atlantic into New England.
The sprawling storm is expected to bring several inches of rain from Virginia to Maine through the weekend, with some of the heaviest totals forecast across parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Emergency officials in Manasquan, New Jersey, issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residents in low-lying areas near the ocean and back bays as dangerous coastal flooding threatened the Jersey Shore.
Town officials urged vulnerable residents to get out before conditions deteriorate.
‘It is recommended that residents in non-elevated structures located in low-lying flood-prone areas, particularly the elderly and special needs persons, shut off the electrical main in their home and move themselves, vehicles and pets to higher ground until the flooding subsides.’
The massive system has taken on a hurricane-like appearance on some weather models, though it is not classified as a tropical cyclone.
MAJOR NOR’EASTER: A major fall nor’easter is charging toward the Northeast right now. From the Mid-Atlantic to Southern New England, expect power outages, travel disruptions, and dangerous beach erosion as the storm ramps up this weekend. pic.twitter.com/BC1mKszOkH
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) September 25, 2026
Meteorologist Ryan Maue described the storm as a ‘blockbuster’ nor’easter as forecasters warned that its strongest winds and heaviest rain could pound coastal communities for days.
The National Weather Service has issued a string of wind, high surf and coastal flood alerts across portions of the Northeast.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is ‘preparing for the worst’ as residents in New York City and Long Island brace for flooded streets, falling trees and potentially dangerous downed power lines.
Coastal communities from North Carolina through Massachusetts face some of the most serious threats.
Forecasters warned that powerful onshore winds could push several feet of seawater onto land in vulnerable areas, while saturated ground could make trees easier to topple.
‘Wet ground could make trees more susceptible to toppling in strong winds, which could lead to localized and regional power outages,’ AccuWeather explained in a statement.
Winds of 40 to 60 mph are expected across a broad portion of the Northeast, with stronger coastal gusts potentially reaching hurricane force in some areas.
The Atlantic is also turning violent.
Large waves and dangerous surf have already battered portions of the Carolina coast, while National Weather Service marine forecasts show gale-force conditions and storm-force gusts developing off New Jersey.
‘Storm-force winds and hazardous seas will capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility,’ the NWS warned in a statement. ‘Mariners should remain in port, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.’
Beachgoers are also being warned to stay out of the water.
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Rip current alerts have been issued in several coastal areas, while communities including Nahant, Massachusetts, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, have closed beaches as the storm intensifies.
Nahant fire officials warned that ‘anyone who enters the water during the storm could be putting themselves at significant risk.’
Atlantic City Beach Patrol Chief Steve Downey said swimming would remain off-limits.
‘We’re gonna keep the water closed for any kind of bathing. Our guys are out there making sure that stays the case. It’s obviously not safe to swim at all.’
The storm is also disrupting air travel.
New York‘s major airports were beginning to see delays Friday as high winds and deteriorating conditions moved into the region.
Forecasters expect the storm to remain close enough to the shoreline to keep strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding in play through the weekend.
Heavy rain is expected to spread farther into New England by Sunday, while portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine could also see impacts.
Flooding has already been reported in parts of Virginia, where roads and neighborhoods were covered with water as the storm pushed north.
Along the Outer Banks in North Carolina, coastal flooding forced closures on Highway 12 while large waves and wind gusts battered the shoreline.
The National Weather Service is also warning of dangerous surf and coastal flooding around New York City, with wind and high surf advisories remaining in effect into the weekend.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
