High wind and coastal flood alerts are in effect for millions up and down the Atlantic Coast as a nor’easter takes shape Friday and crawls north just offshore the next several days.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.– A budding and potentially powerful Nor’easter is threatening to bring “major” coastal flooding impacts to parts of the mid-Atlantic Sunday into Monday, prompting New Jersey to already declare a state of emergency.
The combination of strong and persistent northeast winds and high astronomical tides will send pounding surf into the Atlantic coast from Virginia to New England. But the brunt of the flooding appears focused on the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, along with Delaware Bay.
Northeast Coastal Flooding
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Coastal Flood Watches are in effect from Sunday through Monday as 12–15-foot waves could mean some areas could see tides reach 2–4 feet above normal.
“Moderate to Major coastal flood impacts are increasingly likely,” National Weather Service forecasters in Mount Holly, New Jersey wrote Friday morning. “Widespread roadway flooding and impassable roads, inundation of structures, and evacuations are possible Sunday-Monday.”
Northeast Coastal Flood Alerts
Forecasters say significant beach erosion and dune breaching is also possible due to very high surf.
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way says all 21 counties in New Jersey are in a statewide emergency starting midday Saturday due to the storm’s threat. The declaration will help speed up emergency services and free up more resources for storm preparations and response.
“Starting on Sunday, a dangerous coastal storm will begin to move past our state with extreme weather conditions for several counties, especially those on the Shore,” Way said. “I urge all New Jerseyans to exercise caution, monitor local weather forecasts and warnings, stay informed on evacuation protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
In preparation for the storm, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office announced the formation of a sandbag station in Sea Bright, New Jersey on Friday and Saturday, providing bags and sand to the public to provide extra resilience for the nor’easter set to slam New Jersey and the East Coast.
High Wind Watches are also in place from Long Island through coastal New Jersey and Delaware.
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Wind gusts could reach upwards of 60 mph with sustained winds around 25-35 mph along the coast, fueling the high surf. Already, New York has suspended Fire Island ferry service for Sunday and Monday.
(FOX Weather)
Even areas inland could see flash flooding from heavy rains. A widespread swath of 3-5 inches of rain is possible along the coast through Tuesday.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a large Level 2/4 flash flood risk from Norfolk, Virginia, through Philadelphia, New York City, and southern New England for Sunday.
