A state of emergency has been declared for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County due to a severe northeastern storm that brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding over the weekend.
Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement on Sunday evening, stating, “In light of the ongoing nor’easter, we’re declaring a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. We are prepared to assist local partners as we face damaging winds and heavy rainfall with possible flooding and power outages.”
The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of New York City’s Columbus Day Parade. Officials noted that the parade, scheduled for October 12, had to be scrapped for safety reasons due to the dangerous weather.
They explained, “Given the governor’s emergency declaration stemming from treacherous weather, including high winds and heavy rain, we must cancel the 81st Columbus Day Parade to protect all involved.” The event will not be rescheduled and will next be held in 2026.
Footage from Freeport, Long Island, showed roads submerged as the storm continued to wreak havoc into Monday morning.
This nor’easter initially affected parts of the Southeast and the Carolinas, delivering several inches of rain and strong wind gusts from North Carolina to the Jersey Shore.
As New Jersey prepared for major flooding risks, Acting Governor Tahesha Way announced a state-wide emergency across 21 counties in response to the impending storms, effective Saturday.
By Monday morning, around 40,000 power outages were reported across four states, particularly in Connecticut and New Jersey.
Northeast Winds Impact North Carolina Coast
Meanwhile, residents in North Carolina’s Outer Banks experienced significant flooding and high waves. Several beachfront homes in Buxton are at risk of collapsing due to the storm’s force.
Notably, the Department of Transportation had to clear Highway 12, which was closed due to flooding as officials worked to assist affected areas.
Delaware Activates National Guard Amid Storm
In Delaware, the Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced that the National Guard would assist with storm resources. A voluntary evacuation order was issued for parts of Bowers Beach due to flooding risks.
“DEMA has been in coordination with state and local authorities since Friday to prepare for the storm’s impacts and is readying security personnel for deployment,” the agency said.
Reception centers have opened in Kent and Sussex counties, and evacuation centers are being set up if necessary.
Tropical Storm-like Winds Strike Coastal Areas
As the nor’easter moved north, coastal regions from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic felt tropical-storm-force winds. Reports indicated over 10 inches of rain in some areas of South Carolina, while the Carolinas overall saw widespread rainfall of 4 to 5 inches.
Wind gusts reached 102 mph at Jennett Pier and 91 mph at Cape Lookout in North Carolina, with other parts of New Jersey also reporting high gusts.
Continued Impact of the Nor’easter
The nor’easter’s effects lingered into Monday, with more weather impacts expected into Tuesday. The FOX Prediction Center indicated that heavy rain and winds would continue to affect areas along Interstate 95, stretching from Atlantic City to Boston, including New York City and New Haven.
Hartford, Connecticut, and Albany, New York, reported significant rainfall, impacting inland communities as well.
Fortunately, the winds are expected to ease, and while rain may persist throughout the day, conditions could improve later on the Jersey Shore. However, areas from Long Island to Boston should brace for challenging weather conditions.
