New Jersey declares state of emergency as nor’easter approaches | US weather
The northeast moved toward the east coast on Sunday; New Jersey declared a state of emergency and some airports announced delays and cancellations ahead of expected coastal flooding and strong winds, while another storm system hit further south with heavy rain and flooding.
“The biggest impacts will be the potential for coastal flooding, especially for areas from northeastern North Carolina to much of the coast of New Jersey,” said Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
Heavy rain is also expected for southeastern New England and the New York City area, with some falling in coastal South Carolina, Oravec said.
Transoceanic water has begun to form on Highway 12 at a motel near Buxton in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, which has suffered significant storm damage this season, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said in a notice posted online Sunday. The office urged travelers to exercise caution and to alert property owners as high tide approaches.
All of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since Saturday night. It is expected to take until Monday to allow the state’s emergency services personnel to step in if necessary.
Moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 miles per hour, up to 5 inches (about 13 cm) of rain and high waves are forecast to potentially cause beach erosion in parts of the state. Some volunteers were putting sandbags on the beaches.
The National Weather Service has placed New York City, Long Island and the southern Westchester area under a coastal flood warning and wind advisory until at least Monday afternoon. Coastal areas of suburban Long Island are expected to get up to 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) of rain and high winds and could see flooding, the weather service said.
Winds of more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour were being recorded in the area Sunday morning.
Utilities in the area deployed more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm.
“Due to high wind warnings and flood risks, it is vital for everyone’s safety to be alert, cautious and take the necessary steps to be prepared,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Some flight delays and cancellations have been announced at airports from Washington DC to Boston.
The storm was expected to subside by Monday night.
