A powerful early-season nor’easter is strengthening along the East Coast, bringing coastal flooding, dangerous waves and strong winds from North Carolina to New England as conditions are expected to worsen through the weekend.
Flooding has already hit parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Water reached major flood stage during high tide Thursday evening in some locations, and ocean overwash forced officials to close a 16-mile stretch of North Carolina Highway 12 on the Outer Banks. Flooding has also been reported in several Virginia communities.
The storm is expected to become more dangerous as it moves north. Coastal flood warnings stretch from the Outer Banks to eastern Long Island, including areas around Virginia Beach, Atlantic City and New York City. Repeated high tides could cause flooding through the weekend, while large waves could cause serious beach erosion.
New England faces some of the strongest winds and heaviest rain. Gusts could reach 60 mph from eastern Long Island into coastal and southeastern New England, creating the risk of downed trees and power outages. Boston is under a high wind warning, coastal flood warning and high surf advisory as the storm approaches.
Heavy rain could also cause flash flooding in parts of coastal New England, including the Boston area. Travel could become difficult, with flight delays possible at Boston Logan International Airport and New York City-area airports as the storm continues through the weekend.
The Readovia Lens
This nor’easter is affecting a huge stretch of the East Coast at the same time, but the danger will not look the same everywhere. Coastal communities face repeated flooding and powerful waves, while areas farther north could see damaging winds, heavy rain, power outages and difficult travel.
