Nor'easter barrels down on East Coast, threatens millions with flooding, winds
Tens of millions of people are in the path of the storm, which has already canceled concerts and prompted people on islands near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to head to the mainland in the days ahead of the nor'easter's arrival.
A powerful nor'easter, capable of generating storm-force winds and massive waves, intensified on Friday and is expected to bring dangerous conditions through the weekend to tens of millions of people along the East Coast. The National Weather Service warned of potential flooding along the Mid-Atlantic coast, especially near New Jersey and Delaware starting Friday and into Saturday.
Brian Hurley, senior national forecaster with the NWS Weather Prediction Center, stated that the heaviest rain is likely to hit coastal Jersey, Long Island, up to Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts. Forecasters expect the storm to weaken later on Saturday.
Residents in low-lying areas of Manasquan, New Jersey, have been urged to evacuate, with the mayor declaring a voluntary evacuation. New Jersey and New York governors declared states of emergency ahead of the storm. In Sea Bright, New Jersey, homeowners and businesses are preparing for winds up to 50 mph and flooding of up to 6 feet on some streets.
Mayor Brian Kelly of Sea Bright warned that the flooding could be worse than previous events, describing it as closer to an Irene-scale flooding event, referencing the 2011 storm that caused major flooding in the Northeast. He urged hundreds of residents living in low-lying areas to consider evacuating and offered the town's recreation center for evacuees.
The nor'easter has already canceled sporting events and concerts. The Boston Red Sox moved their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs to accommodate the storm, while Ed Sheeran canceled his shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Public ferry services connecting Cape Cod with the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, as well as flights to the islands, have been canceled due to strong winds and choppy water.
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