A powerful, slow-moving nor’easter battered the U.S. Northeast, causing extensive coastal flooding, widespread power outages for nearly 100,000 customers, and significant disruptions to businesses and travel. Major event cancellations, including flights, concerts, and sporting events, highlighted the storm’s broad impact as officials urged extreme caution amid ongoing dangerous conditions and rising tides across the region.
A formidable, slow-moving nor'easter brought high winds, torrential rain, and massive waves to the U.S. Northeast coast over the weekend, creating perilous conditions and disrupting daily life for tens of millions.
The powerful storm left approximately 100,000 customers in the region without power at its peak. Forecasters from the National Weather Service warned of a sustained assault, predicting "a lot of high winds, a lot of high tides and heavy rain possibility over the next few days for the northeastern U.S." The highest tides were anticipated north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, from Saturday night into Sunday, raising concerns for significant road flooding in coastal and bayside communities. New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a stark warning: "Anyone who goes in or near the water this weekend is literally gambling with their life."
In Point Pleasant, New Jersey, a striking image captured a car submerged on a flooded road during the nor'easter on September 26, 2026, where a voluntary evacuation had been issued. (Photo: Ryan Murphy | Getty Images)
High Waters Engulf Roads and Businesses
The storm's impact was immediately felt across the region. In Long Island, New York, residents were seen kayaking down streets transformed into waterways. Further south, in Surf City, New Jersey, marina owner Kenny Formica watched helplessly as surveillance cameras showed water invading his business—a rare event he likened to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused over $4 million in damages to his property. Formica recounted waking to messages from customers reporting missing boats and Jet Skis, with one video showing a 25-foot, 8,000-pound boat, valued at $150,000, blown off its lift and "just gone."
Ocean City, Maryland, experienced severe beach erosion and fencing damage near its dunes due to heavy surf. Jay Boyd, a local, described canals with alarmingly high water levels spilling into backyards. In Norfolk, Virginia, Ellie Hodge observed vehicles struggling through street flooding that had plagued the coastal city all week. "We've seen cars get stuck on the road, going up the sidewalks," Hodge said, noting the unusual severity of this event.
Flights, Concerts, and Sporting Events Scrapped
The nor'easter forced a cascade of cancellations. Hundreds of flights were grounded at Boston Logan International Airport, with most services to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket also suspended. Major sports events were impacted; the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, both eyeing playoffs, reshuffled their three-game series, playing a doubleheader on Friday before relocating their Sunday finale to Florida. Global music sensation Ed Sheeran canceled his high-profile concerts scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Other notable cancellations included an Ironman triathlon in New York and the three-day Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland.
A dramatic photo from Scituate, Massachusetts, on September 26, 2026, shows waves crashing over homes on Rebecca Road during the nor'easter, highlighting the extreme conditions. (Photo: Scott Eisen | Getty Images News | Getty Images)
Even personal milestones were affected. A flooding-related highway closure on North Carolina's Hatteras Island upended Jayden Sink and Kimberly Laprad's wedding plans. While the Virginia couple made it to the island, most of their 45 guests were stranded. Fortunately, the community rallied, with a local campground offering a new venue and an officiant, and a DJ volunteering services, inviting anyone on the island to celebrate. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein assured Hatteras residents that emergency responders were actively working to restore connections.
Officials Urge Caution as Storm Lingers
While nor'easters are common in New England's fall, this storm arrived "a little earlier than average for a big storm," according to Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service. Its slow progression intensified concerns about beach erosion due to prolonged exposure to strong winds and waves. State officials reiterated calls for caution, with New York Governor Hochul emphasizing the paramount threat of coastal flooding, alongside heavy rains, powerful winds, and waves potentially reaching 20 feet.
In Long Island, ferry owner Stephanie Sherman paused operations between Patchogue and Fire Island, commenting, "It's been a pretty wild storm. But nothing that we haven't experienced in the past. These happen every so often."
