9 million Americans under State of Emergency as ‘hurricane-like’ storm barrels up the East Coast
A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey as a ‘hurricane-like’ storm is expected to hit the coast starting from Saturday night.
The order goes into effect at 10 PM ET and covers all 21 counties, home to more than nine million Americans.
Meteorologists warned that this dangerous Northeast would bring winds of up to 50 mph inland and 60 mph along the coast and heavy rainfall.
Governor Tahesha Way said Friday: ‘Starting Sunday, a dangerous coastal storm will begin moving past our state with extreme weather conditions for several counties, particularly those on the Coast.’
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that widespread highway flooding, impassable roads, submergence of structures and evacuations were possible through Monday.
The storm is currently rated a 1, according to AccuWeather, meaning it could create hurricane-like conditions along coastal areas.
If the storm increases in intensity, it will be named Lorenzo, the next on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane list.
AccuWeather chief hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said: ‘There is a high risk of this storm being named a subtropical (hybrid) storm, so we have designated this system as a tropical wind and rain storm and published an eye path map to raise early awareness ahead of potential National Hurricane Center (NHC) classification.’
The storm may become a tropical storm in the next few days. It’s currently orbiting the Southeast but will reach New Jersey on Saturday evening
AccuWeather’s forecast shows coastal cities from South Carolina to New Jersey at ‘high risk to life and property’ tonight through Monday evening.
The Garden State is expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain over 36 to 48 hours starting tomorrow night.
Officials warned residents living in Jersey Shore counties to be prepared for power outages and property damage.
The NWS said beaches could suffer severe erosion and dune damage due to exceptionally high surf.
Coastal communities may face complex flood risks as heavy rainfall coincides with moderate to large tidal waves.
Flood watches are in place for all Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay communities in New Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties.
The heaviest rain is expected from Sunday afternoon through Monday; Showers will likely continue into the early hours of Tuesday.
Winds and precipitation are expected to be less intense farther inland, but winds of 30 to 50 mph could affect areas along the I-95 corridor.
By Tuesday, the storm is expected to weaken and move offshore, with conditions gradually improving.
High pressure is then expected to build in the region by mid-week, leading to cooler temperatures and more stable weather.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, heavy waves and major flooding as the Northeast develops off the East Coast, with New Jersey declaring a State of Emergency. Georgia to Massachusetts
One of the last State of Emergency orders issued in New Jersey was in July, when a damaging storm hit (pictured in Plainfield) and killed at least two people.
The NWS issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for much of the northeast, warning that conditions could worsen starting Saturday and Sunday.
While the Gale Watch is in effect in New York Harbor from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon, portions of Atlantic coastal waters from Moriches Bay to Montauk Point, Fire Island Bay and Sandy Hook will be active.
A Storm Watch was also issued for the same waters from Sunday morning until late Sunday night.
The advisory covers east and west of New Haven, Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson to the mouth of the Connecticut River, Peconic and Gardiners Bays, and the South Shore Bays from Jones Bay to Shinnecock Bay.
Southwest New York, including Rockland and northern Westchester counties, may experience tidal flooding along the Hudson River Sunday night through Monday.
Southeastern New York, including Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Suffolk and Nassau counties, is under a Coastal Flood Watch from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon and a High Wind Watch from Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night.
NWS urges residents to stay informed via NOAA Weather Radio or the NWS website, follow local advisories, and exercise caution; however, no sentinel activation is expected at this time.
Watches and warnings will remain in effect until authorities determine the threat has passed.
