Nor’easter Batters East Coast With Deadly Winds and Flooding

A potent nor’easter continued to pound the U.S. East Coast on Sunday, following a weekend that delivered severe rain, dangerous waves, and fierce winds across multiple states. In coastal areas of New York and New Jersey, flash flooding was so rapid that residents were forced to navigate their neighborhoods via kayak and canoe, passing vehicles that were partially or fully submerged. Meteorologists caution that the most damaging effects may still lie ahead for certain communities, with flood warnings remaining active along extensive stretches of the coastline.

Authorities have confirmed at least one fatality linked to the storm. Leighton Brown, a 56-year-old employee of the New York City Housing Department, was killed in Brooklyn when a tree fell on him. Meanwhile, state police reported the rescue of a swimmer who had been missing since Saturday afternoon. The man had reportedly vanished after swimming at a Fire Island beach but located safety and contacted officers after seeing news coverage of the search efforts.

Power outages impacted tens of thousands of residents across the Northeast as of Sunday morning. Data from PowerOutage.us indicates that more than 40,000 customers in New York and approximately 30,000 in Connecticut were without electricity.

The storm’s trajectory is expected to worsen conditions as it moves inland from the Atlantic, traveling directly over New Jersey. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill have declared states of emergency for regions anticipated to face the brunt of the weather system before it dissipates later in the week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast predicts additional heavy rainfall across mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through Monday night, raising the risk of further flooding. Hazardous conditions, including rip currents and rough surf, are expected to extend as far south as the Carolinas. Wind gusts reaching 50 mph could affect the tri-state area from New Jersey to Long Island, potentially downing more power lines and trees.

CBS News meteorologist Andrew Kozak noted that the New York City area could receive another one to two inches of rain by Sunday night. Water levels along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts may rise by up to 12 feet due to tidal surges. Northern regions, including Boston, could see between two and four inches of rain, with totals potentially reaching seven inches in some areas.

The NWS had previously urged residents along the eastern seaboard to prepare for significant coastal damage, citing repeated flooding cycles, particularly around high tide. The alignment of the storm with high tide on Sunday morning poses specific threats to low-lying areas near Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn and Queens, as well as lower New York Harbor.

From Friday through Saturday, dozens of flooding and wind damage incidents were reported from North Carolina to New York. The strongest wind gusts recorded were 74 mph in Surf City, New Jersey, and 81 mph at Montauk Point in New York, speeds comparable to a low-category hurricane.