Nor’easter brings flooding as New York and New Jersey declare emergency

A powerful storm, known as a nor'easter, has been wreaking havoc across the northeastern United States, with tens of millions of people in its path. The storm is causing coastal flooding, power outages, travel disruptions, and the cancellation of events. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for "dangerous coastal flooding and beach conditions, strong winds, and heavy rainfall" for areas including New York City and Boston on Saturday.

States of emergency have been declared in New York and New Jersey, where some areas have experienced a coastal deluge. In Brooklyn, a man was killed when a tree fell. More than 100,000 households, primarily in the northeast US, have lost electricity, according to PowerOutage tracker. The Federal Aviation Administration has advised air travelers to check with their airlines regarding flight status as the storm has caused delays and cancellations. Over 2,400 flights were delayed and 1,199 were grounded.

The full moon on Saturday is expected to exacerbate coastal flooding. Floodwater has inundated streets and homes in coastal New Jersey communities of Surf City and Manasquan. Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey has urged residents to take the storm seriously, stay alert, and follow local guidance. The National Weather Service warns of "significant inundation in low-lying areas near the shore, including roads underwater and impacts to homes and businesses."

In New York, officials are warning of wind gusts up to 55mph (86km/h) throughout the weekend, leading to downed trees and power lines. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents not to travel if it is not necessary and to avoid driving or walking through floodwater. In Boston, the Red Sox have moved their final game against the Chicago Cubs to Sunday afternoon in Florida.