Nor'easter Causes Power Outages and Flooding in New Jersey

Thousands were without power on the US East Coast on Friday night, while roads were flooding in some coastal New Jersey communities as a powerful nor’easter began impacting the region. Tens of millions of people are in the path of the storm, which is producing strong winds and rain. The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous flooding along the Mid-Atlantic coast, particularly near New Jersey and Delaware. In the coastal New Jersey borough of Manasquan, water inundated some roads as the sky darkened. A voluntary evacuation was issued earlier in some low-lying areas of the community. Mayor Mike Mangan stated he expected “a lot of water in the streets for a long time.” Concerts were canceled, and dozens of flights into airports in Boston, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard were canceled on Friday and Saturday. Several airlines were waiving change or cancellation fees for some East Coast flights through the weekend. Brian Kelly, the mayor of Sea Bright, New Jersey, indicated that the borough is preparing for winds up to 50 mph and flooding that could reach up to 6 feet on some streets. Officials expect flooding to begin Saturday and worsen by midday. Kelly expressed concern that this storm could be comparable to the Irene-scale flooding event in 2011. He hopes residents in low-lying areas will consider evacuating and mentioned that the town will open its recreation center for evacuees. Peak wind gusts could reach 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, while gusts around Boston could be about 50 to 55 mph. Matthew Belk, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norton, Massachusetts, noted that nor’easters are common in New England during fall, but the presence of leaves on trees could increase the risk of downed limbs and power outages. Wind gusts along the Atlantic coasts in New Jersey and Delaware could reach 60 mph, with similar conditions expected in southeastern Connecticut and eastern Long Island, New York. More than 200 flights in and out of airports in Boston, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and New York were canceled on Friday, with additional cancellations anticipated for Saturday. The Red Sox announced adjustments to their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, moving the Sunday afternoon game to Friday. Ed Sheeran also canceled his Friday and Saturday shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, due to the storm. Public ferry services connecting Cape Cod with Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard experienced widespread cancellations on Friday due to strong winds and choppy water, with similar disruptions expected on Saturday. In Rhode Island, ferries to Block Island were also canceled. Sean Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority, noted that regular travelers are accustomed to disruptions and have backup plans in place. Ashley Destino of Gloucester, Massachusetts, took her children to the beach before preparing to stay indoors during the storm. She secured her boat and prepared a generator in case of power outages.