State of emergency declared as nor'easter brings 'major' coastal flooding threat to New Jersey, Delaware
The combination of strong and persistent northeast winds and high astronomical tides will send pounding surf of 12–15-foot waves into the Atlantic coasts from Virginia to New England. But the brunt of the flooding appears focused on the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, along with Delaware Bay.
Powerful nor'easter charging up off East Coast
A fall nor'easter is strengthening off the East Coast, expecting to bring impacts from the Carolinas to New England. New Jersey could see major coastal flooding.
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 along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to New England. The brunt of the flooding appears focused on the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, along with Delaware Bay.
Major flooding is also possible in the Hampton Roads area and Chesapeake Bay in the Virginia Tidewater.
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Coastal Flood Warnings stretch from Virginia Beach to New York 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. "Widespread roadway flooding and impassable roads, inundation of structures, and evacuations are possible Sunday-Monday."
New Jersey on high alert for major coastal flooding from budding nor'easter
A nor'easter forming off the East Coast is set to bring significant coastal flooding to New Jersey this weekend. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Sarah Johnson for the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey joined FOX Weather to talk about the primary concerns and threats with this powerful storm.
NWS Mount Holly Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Sarah Johnson joined FOX Weather on Saturday morning to talk about the expectation for the worst impacts to New Jersey.
"People along the coast really need to be aware of this threat for the tidal and coastal flooding," Johnson said.
Johnson said the NWS office is primarily focused on the flooding threat, but secondary concerns are with wind.
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Some spots especially in southern New Jersey and Delaware, may see water levels reach among the higher measurements on record, the FOX Forecast Center says. 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 Warnings and Wind Advisories are also in place on Sunday 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. New York has suspended Fire Island ferry service for Sunday and Monday.
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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.