A powerful nor’easter is expected to batter the U.S. Northeast through the weekend. Forecasters have warned that Boston, New York City and the Jersey Shore will experience varying degrees of heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding.
Further north in Sea Bright, Mayor Brian Kelly said winds could reach 50 mph (80 kph). Floodwaters may also rise as high as 6 feet on some streets. The storm intensified Friday as it moved toward New England. Storm-force winds over the Atlantic produced massive waves along the East Coast. Officials have already cancelled events, advised residents on islands near Cape Cod to travel to the mainland and issued evacuation notices in vulnerable coastal communities. Coastal flooding is expected to pose the biggest threat along the New Jersey shoreline. Governors in New Jersey and New York declared states of emergency ahead of the storm.
Forecasters said tens of millions of people are in the storm’s path. Senior national forecaster at the NWS Weather Prediction Center, the heaviest rainfall is expected to fall from coastal New Jersey through Long Island, Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts, according to Brian Hurley. “The heaviest rain is probably going to be from coastal Jersey, Long Island, up to Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts,” Hurley said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that dangerous conditions could persist into Saturday before the system begins weakening later in the day.
Kelly compared the expected flooding to conditions seen during Hurricane Irene in 2011. A meteorologist with the NWS office in Norton, Massachusetts, wind gusts could reach 60 to 65 mph (97 to 105 kph) across exposed coastal areas Friday night and Saturday, according to Matthew Belk. The Boston metropolitan area could experience gusts between 50 and 55 mph (80 to 89 kph), while inland communities are expected to see winds of 35 to 40 mph (56 to 64 kph).
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are forecast to receive the strongest winds While New Jersey is expected to experience the greatest flooding risk. Strong winds may bring down trees and power lines. Large waves and dangerous surf are also expected along much of the New England coastline.
