North Easter hits Northeast US: New Jersey roads flood as homes take on water, power outages spread

A powerful nor’easter battered the northeastern United States on Saturday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, major coastal flooding and widespread power outages as tens of millions of people remained in the storm’s path.

Nor’easter whips Northeast US as flooding rises

The National Weather Service warned of significant coastal flooding in the mid-Atlantic, with New Jersey and Delaware among the areas facing the greatest risk. The Weather Channel said the storm’s peak impacts were felt from the mid-Atlantic to New England, with coastal flooding expected to continue through the weekend.

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In coastal New Jersey, the effects were already visible. Streets in Surf City were flooded and water entered some homes, while roads in nearby Manasquan were also flooded.

Mayor Mike Mangan said residents should expect water to stay in the streets for an extended period of time. Voluntary evacuations have already been announced in some low-lying areas.

People watch waves hit the shore during a nor’easter as the tide comes in on September 26, 2026 in Scituate, Massachusetts. More than 40 million people in the northeastern United States braced for heavy rain and strong winds on September 25 as an unusually strong storm for the season was forecast to hit the region. New York, Boston and Philadelphia were all in the firing line of the “Nor’easter” – so named for its northeasterly winds – as authorities warned of possible flooding, downed trees and downed power lines. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso/AFP)(AFP)

The National Weather Service said major coastal flooding was expected during Saturday’s high tides, with water levels potentially several feet above normal in some vulnerable areas. The Weather Channel said the highest water levels were expected along the Jersey Shore and parts of the mid-Atlantic, with additional flooding possible during Sunday’s high tides.

Sea Bright, another coastal community in New Jersey, was bracing for winds of up to 50 miles per hour and flooding that could reach 6 feet on some streets, according to Mayor Brian Kelly. The borough was also preparing its recreation center to receive residents from low-lying areas should they decide to evacuate.

How Easter affected cities

The storm also disrupted electricity supplies. More than 70,000 customers in the Northeast were without power on Saturday, while utility companies warned that strong winds and rain could cause more outages.

POINT PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: A man walks through water on a flooded road during a nor’easter storm where a voluntary community evacuation was issued on September 26, 2026 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency for eight counties as a powerful nor’easter is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and beach erosion starting Friday night and continuing through the weekend. Ryan Murphy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by RYAN MURPHY / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The Weather Channel reported that wind gusts above 50 mph were already reported from southern Cape Cod to parts of Long Island, New Jersey and the Delaware coast, with some trees downed and power outages reported in several states.

Connecticut was among the affected states, with thousands of residents without power as the storm moved through the region. Strong winds also created the risk of downed branches and further damage to power lines. The National Weather Service warned that trees still bearing leaves could be more vulnerable to wind damage, increasing the possibility of outages.

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The storm also disrupted travel and public events. More than 200 flights were canceled at airports in Boston, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and New York around Friday and Saturday, while ferry services connecting Cape Cod to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were disrupted by high winds and rough seas.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 25: Surfers take advantage of big waves along Rockaway Beach as a Nor’easter heads into the New York area on September 25, 2026 in New York. Much of the Northeast is bracing for a storm that is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP (Photo: SPENCER PLATT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Forecasters said the nor’easter would not clear quickly. Rain and strong winds are expected to continue across southern New England, Long Island, New Jersey, Delaware and coastal Virginia on Saturday, with some coastal flooding again possible during evening high tides.

Conditions were expected to gradually ease on Sunday, although rain and gusty winds could continue into Monday.

The National Weather Service urged people in coastal areas at risk of flooding to prepare immediately and avoid driving through flooded roads or around barricades.