Technology and Science26 September, 20263 min read
Nor’easter Knocks Out Power for Tens of Thousands Across Northeast U.S., Flooding Hits Long Island
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Nor'easter leaves tens of thousands without power across New York and New Jersey. Long Island experiences ongoing outages with significant coastal flooding and rising water.
Northeast storm hits
A slow-moving, powerful storm crept along the coast of the northeast U.S. on Saturday, producing high winds that knocked out electricity to tens of thousands while whipping up big waves and heavy rains. About 100,000 customers in the region were without electricity Saturday, and the forecast showed no immediate reprieve as the storm was expected to affect the mid-Atlantic area and New England throughout the weekend.
“Around 100,000 customers in the region were without electricity Saturday.”
Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Md., said, "There will be "a lot of high winds, a lot of high tides and heavy rain possibility over the next few days for the northeastern U.S.," Kathy Hochul said coastal flooding was the biggest threat, and she warned, "The rain is underway and while it's only half an inch or so thus far, mark my words: Much more is coming," early Saturday.
Connecticut updates
In Connecticut, a powerful nor’easter brought rain and strong wind Saturday and was expected to last throughout the weekend, with concerns for coastal flooding, power outages, and wind damage. The storm was forecast to deepen as it moved north, then linger near the coast into Sunday before slowly weakening, and state officials said most of the state could see 1 to 3 inches of rain by Monday. The state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said the storm’s center was about 220 miles east of the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula and moving north at 5 to 10 mph, and the update warned that the high tide at noon on Sunday was a concern.
CT Insider Meteorologist Dan Amarante said wind gusts reached 40 to 50 mph across much of Connecticut this morning before easing over the past few hours, and he described the day as "a wet and windy day, with gusts continuing to top 30 mph statewide." The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to include New London County, in effect through noon Sunday, while the state’s two major power companies reported a little more than 24,000 electrical outages between them.
Long Island impacts
On Long Island, Nassau County faced significant flooding as the nor’easter passed, with water in streets and homes rising above curb level and reaching nearly a foot in depth in some areas.
Univision said erosion risk rose as the combination of seven to 10 foot high seas stretched from Fire Island to Montauk, while three- to four-foot waves could cause erosion and flooding.
News12 reported that more than 13,000 customers were still being impacted by nearly 800 power outages on Long Island, and it directed residents not to go near downed power lines.
Univision said authorities urged avoidance of roads and to prepare for potentially dangerous conditions amid heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding, and it noted a coastal flood advisory remained in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday and a small craft advisory until 8 p.m. Sunday.
The storm also disrupted transportation and events, as News12 described Long Beach branch service being suspended between Valley Stream and Long Beach due to flooding near Island Park, while the MTA said shuttle bus service was available between Valley Stream and Long Beach.