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

People walk in flooded streets in Surf City, New Jersey, on 26 September 2026Image source, Reuters
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Surf City, New Jersey, was among coastal communities flooded

ByKwasi Gyamfi Asiedu
  • Published

Tens of millions of people across the north-eastern US are in the path of a powerful storm bringing coastal flooding, power cuts, travel chaos and cancelled stadium events.

The so-called nor'easter is bringing "dangerous coastal flooding and beach conditions, strong winds and heavy rainfall" to areas including New York City and Boston on Saturday, the US National Weather Service (NWS) said.

States of emergency have been declared in New York and New Jersey, both of which faced a coastal deluge in some areas. Rain and strong winds are forecast from Virginia to Maine.

Ed Sheeran's much-awaited Boston concert was among events called off due to the weather.

A man and woman kayak through a flooded road. A dog is on the man's kayack in the centre of the image. Mailboxes are on the left of the image.Image source, Getty Images
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Residents on kayaks in a Beach Haven West, New Jersey, neighbourhood

The nor'easter caused widespread power cuts. More than 100,000 households, nearly all in the northeast US, have lost electricity, according to tracker PowerOutage.

The Federal Aviation Administration recommended air passengers check with airlines about their flight status. More than 2,400 flights have been delayed and another 1,199 grounded, according to FlightAware.

Saturday's full moon is projected to worsen coastal flooding. Streets and homes were inundated with floodwater in the coastal New Jersey communities of Surf City and Manasquan on Saturday.

"I urge all New Jerseyans to take this storm seriously, stay alert and follow local guidance," Governor Mikie Sherrill said.

A resident pulls a paddle board carrying his children down a flooded road during a nor'easter storm.Image source, Getty Images
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Streets and homes were inundated with floodwater in coastal parts of New Jersey

An information board at Boston Logan International Airport shows cancelled flights as a strong nor'easter coastal storm batters the US northeast coast.Image source, Reuters
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Flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the storm

NWS said in its alert: "Prepare immediately for 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 of up to 55mph (86km/h) throughout the weekend, leading to downed trees and power lines.

"Don't travel if you don't have to," NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani told residents in a video message. "Do not drive or walk through floodwater."

In the Boston area, the Red Sox moved the last game in their series against the Chicago Cubs to Sunday afternoon in Florida.

Waves pound the coast as the tide comes in during a Nor'Easter storm in Scituate, Massachusetts on September 26, 2026.Image source, AFP via Getty Images
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Waves pounded the coast in Massachusetts

A professional football match between Red Bull New York and St Louis City SC was also cancelled.

Nor is the Global Citizen Festival concert in New York City's Central Park, which was to be headlined by Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and John Legend, going ahead.

Sheeran's concert at the Gillette Stadium in the Boston area was cancelled for safety reasons, the venue said.