A rare and powerful storm intensified over the northeastern United States on Saturday evening, unleashing torrential rain and fierce winds that knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of customers and left at least one person dead, according to US media reports.
Major cities including New York, Boston and Philadelphia are under threat from a “Nor’easter,” with warnings of significant coastal flooding and road closures. Such storms typically strike between autumn and early spring, making this late-September event highly unusual.
Storm to Hit Region at Full Force Sunday
Forecasters said the storm was expected to move toward New Jersey and Long Island overnight and to strike the region “with its full force” on Sunday morning.
“Major coastal flooding is expected along the Mid-Atlantic coast over several high-tide cycles following a full moon this weekend,” the National Weather Service said.
Officials Warn of ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Conditions
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the storm was heading toward the coastal areas of New York City and Long Island in the evening.
“Conditions are extremely dangerous. Anyone who goes into or near the water this weekend would literally be risking their life,” she warned at a press briefing. “We expect waves up to six meters high in some areas.”
“Do not travel unless you have to,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged.
In the Brooklyn borough, a 56-year-old man was killed by a falling tree, according to US media. More than 60,000 customers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania were without power on Saturday.
Hundreds of Flights Cancelled, Events Scrapped
The storm also forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights on Saturday, including 253 at Boston’s Logan Airport alone, according to the tracking site FlightAware.
Major cultural events were called off as well, including the Global Citizen and All Things Go festivals in New York and the Oceans Calling festival in Maryland.
- At least one fatality reported in Brooklyn after a tree fell on a man
- More than 60,000 power outages across six states
- 253 flights cancelled at Boston Logan Airport alone
- Coastal flooding expected along the Mid-Atlantic through multiple tide cycles
- Waves forecast to reach up to six meters in some areas
