Storm slams Northeast with flooding rain, high winds as power outages skyrocket

NEW YORK – After slamming Florida with tropical-storm-like conditions on Saturday and prompting Flash Flood Emergencies along the South Carolina coast on Sunday, a powerful storm system will continue to slide up the East Coast on Monday, packing threats of flooding, high winds and severe weather that could disrupt pre-Christmas travel for millions in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.

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Where is the East Coast storm now?

Heavy rain, gusty winds, flash flooding and coastal flooding were impacting areas across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Monday morning. The storm will continue tracking north throughout the day.

Power outages starting to skyrocket in the Northeast, New England

According to PowerOutage.US, more than 410,000 customers were without power from New York and New Jersey to New England early Monday morning due to strong, gusty winds knocking down tree limbs and power lines.

Connecticut and Massachusetts so far, are experiencing the worst when it comes to power outages. Connecticut is experiencing over 86,000 outages and Massachusetts has reported just under 100,000 outages.

Tens of thousands of power outages have also been reported across the Northeast and New Englans as the storm continues to slam the region with heavy rain and high winds.

Power outage numbers are expected to continue to rise as the storm impacts the region, and restoration efforts are being slowed due to the conditions.

Utility crews can’t begin to make repairs and restore power until conditions begin to improve.

What is the timing of the East Coast storm?

Rain and high winds will continue Monday across the Northeast and New England.

In interior sections of the Northeast, Great Lakes and Appalachians, the rain could change over to a period of accumulating snow late Monday and into Monday night.

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Where is the heaviest rain expected in the Northeast and Southeast?

The National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches through Monday night for more than 42 million people in the eastern U.S.

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A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain is predicted to fall across the Northeast and New England.

Localized rainfall totals between 4 and 6 inches are possible in some locations, particularly near the coast. 

The heavy rain will likely trigger areas of flash flooding through Monday, with numerous Flash Flood Warnings being issued across the region.

The National Weather Service office in Philadelphia/Mount Holly said flooding was ongoing, with several areas reporting 2 to 5 inches of rain already falling and more expected throughout the day.

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Officials were urging drivers not to drive through flooded roadways or go around barricades where roads were closed.

Schools were also closed on Monday, including in Dover, New Jersey, due to the ongoing flooding.

A Flash Flood Emergency was in effect for parts of the South Carolina coast Sunday afternoon.

Residents were urged to stay inside as roads turned to rivers across several communities. 

How strong will the winds be along the East Coast?

A High Wind Warning is posted for Monday in parts of coastal New England and Long Island, where wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected. These strong gusts could knock down trees and power lines, leading to additional power outages.

New York City is included in a Wind Advisory that is in effect for Monday along other parts of the Northeast and New England coasts, where gusts between 45 and 55 mph are predicted. 

Some tree limbs could be blown down in these areas, adding to the numerous power outages across the region.

Unsecured holiday decorations will also be blown around in these gusty winds, so be sure to secure them or bring them indoors until the winds subside.

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There have already been wind gusts across the region that have reached near hurricane strength (74 mph).

The highest wind gust so far was reported in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island. 

Stamford, Connecticut, reported a wind gust of 66 mph, with other locations in New York and New Jersey seeing wind gusts higher than 60 mph.

New York City’s La Guardia Airport saw a wind gust of 54 mph.

Where are severe storms expected?

A few damaging wind gusts are possible from the eastern shore of New Jersey into southern New England through Monday afternoon. 

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Where are coastal flooding, high surf and beach erosion expected?

Strong onshore winds will create the potential for coastal flooding, high surf and beach erosion along parts of the Eastern Seaboard through Monday.

Coastal Flood Warnings and Advisories extend from the Outer Banks of North Carolina all the way to Maine.

Moderate coastal flooding is possible at high tide from the Chesapeake and Delaware bays to southern New England.

The National Weather Service in Boston said significant coastal flooding is expected during the afternoon high tide, which will impact towns along Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.

The water levels at Fox Point in Providence will likely approach 10 feet. Forecasters say the last time the water levels were that high was observed during Hurricane Bob in 1991 when water levels reached 9.9 feet.

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Near-record coastal flooding swamped Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon, prompting several road closures in downtown Charleston.

The National Weather Service office in Charleston said the tide in the Charleston Harbor peaked at 9.86 feet (mean lower low water) just before noon local time. Not only is that the highest tide on record not associated with a tropical cyclone, but it’s topped only by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, an unnamed hurricane in 1940 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

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