The powerful nor'easter that inundated vast swaths of the Northeast with heavy rain and caused widespread travel disruptions could trigger more flooding as it lingers near the New Jersey coastline, forecasters said.
The storm, which barreled through the region over the weekend, will continue to produce thunderstorms and showers that could quickly flood already rain-soaked areas, especially along the coast, the National Weather Service said in a Sept. 28 outlook. Flood advisories were active from eastern Maryland to Massachusetts.
"We’re not out of the woods yet," said New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill in a post on X, warning of more flooding and urging residents to check on their neighbors. "Please stay vigilant, monitor conditions, and follow local
guidance."
For several days, the nor'easter walloped the East Coast with heavy winds and flooding rain that turned some roads into rivers, knocked out power to 200,000 homes and businesses, and canceled hundreds of flights. Crews rescued people from waist-high floodwaters in New Jersey and New York, which were under states of emergency. Winds reaching 70 and 80 mph were recorded in multiple states.
The storm also led to beach erosion, destroying ramps and uncovering rocks once covered by sand. Officials in Atlantic City said the nor'easter caused the worst beach erosion since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Authorities have tied one death to the storm. Leighton Brown, a 56-year-old man employed by the New York City Housing Authority, died when a tree fell on him in Brooklyn, according to city officials. Four other people sustained minor injuries when a tree fell at a Brooklyn playground.
Forecasters expect the rain and wind to gradually ease as the storm moves toward the Gulf of Maine before reaching Canada on Sept. 30.
Flood advisories active across Northeast
Multiple states throughout the Northeast were under flood warnings and coastal advisories on Sept. 28 following days of heavy rain and high surf.
Much of the flooding is expected along rivers overflowing from the weekend's downpours.
"Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring," said a weather service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey. "Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall."
Officials warned residents to avoid driving in flooded roadways and monitor for any potential emergency notifications.
Crews restore power after nor'easter
Throughout the weekend, more than 200,000 homes and businesses lost power as heavy rain and winds lashed communities, knocking over trees and power lines.
By early Sept. 28, most of the region saw its power restored after crews fanned out across multiple states.
About 20,000 buildings were still without power in New York, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania and Maryland, according to a USA TODAY outage tracker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nor'easter causes chaos. Updates on damage, flooding and power outages
