Nor’easter Brings Flooding and Power Outages to New Jersey Coast

Thousands of residents across the U.S. East Coast lost electricity on Friday night as a developing nor’easter began battering the region with heavy rain and strong winds. In coastal New Jersey, floodwaters inundated streets and some homes, marking the first significant impacts of the powerful storm system expected to cause hazardous conditions through the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, dangerous flooding is anticipated along the Mid-Atlantic coastline, with New Jersey and Delaware identified as particularly vulnerable areas. Tens of millions of people currently lie within the storm’s path as it moves toward landfall.

In Surf City, a coastal borough in New Jersey, waves rippled through flooded streets, soaking nearby residences. Approximately 34 miles north in Manasquan, where similar road flooding was reported, Mayor Mike Mangan predicted that water would remain in the streets for an extended period. Authorities had previously issued a voluntary evacuation order for certain low-lying sections of that community.

Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly stated that his borough is preparing for wind gusts reaching 50 mph and potential street flooding of up to 6 feet, which officials expect to begin Saturday and peak by midday. Kelly compared the anticipated severity to Hurricane Irene, which devastated the Northeast in 2011, though he expressed hope that his forecast might prove inaccurate. He urged residents in low-lying zones to consider evacuating, with the local recreation center designated as a shelter.

Meteorologist Matthew Belk with the National Weather Service in Norton, Massachusetts, noted that peak wind gusts could hit 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Gusts around Boston were expected to range from 50 to 55 mph, while inland areas would see 35 to 40 mph winds. Belk highlighted that nor’easters are common in early fall, but the presence of leaves on trees increases wind resistance and the likelihood of downed limbs, power outages, and road debris.

Along the Atlantic coasts of New Jersey and Delaware, wind gusts could reach 60 mph, with similar intensity possible in southeastern Connecticut and eastern Long Island, New York. These conditions pose a significant risk to tree limbs and power lines.

The storm has already disrupted transportation and entertainment. More than 200 flights to and from airports in Boston, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and New York were canceled on Friday, with additional cancellations scheduled for Saturday. Several airlines announced they would waive change or cancellation fees for East Coast travel through the weekend.

Concerts were also called off, including Ed Sheeran’s performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Boston Red Sox adjusted their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, moving Sunday’s game to Friday for a split doubleheader. Ferry services connecting Cape Cod to the islands, as well as routes to Block Island, Rhode Island, faced widespread cancellations due to choppy waters and high winds, with disruptions expected to continue into Saturday.