Key takeaways:
- Coastal flood alerts covered 33 million people from Virginia to Rhode Island on Friday morning.
- Forecasts called for waves of 10 to 18 feet and coastal flooding of 1 to 4 feet; rain and beach erosion were expected to continue Monday.
- Hurricane Nolo could bring up to 30 inches of rain to the Big Island despite a forecast that it would pass south of it.
A multiday nor’easter began battering the Northeast on Friday, raising the threat of coastal flooding, damaging winds and power outages as heavy rain and rough seas spread along the shoreline.
Coastal flood alerts covered 33 million people from Virginia to Rhode Island on Friday morning, according to NBC News. The Guardian reported that forecasters said as many as 40 million people across several states could be affected. Rough seas and high winds were already hitting parts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York’s Long Island.
“Strong winds and rough seas along with a prolonged period of steady rain across the region are expected through this weekend,” the National Weather Service’s Boston office posted on X. “Beach erosion, coastal flooding, and wind damage including downed limbs and power outages are our main concerns.”
NBC News forecast widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches between the Interstate 95 corridor and the coast, with 4 to 6 inches in heavier bands. The Guardian reported that some areas of southeastern Massachusetts could receive up to 8 inches. Waves could reach 10 to 18 feet, while onshore winds could push water 1 to 4 feet above normally dry ground, NBC News reported. A full moon Saturday night was expected to raise tides by another 5 to 6 inches.
The strongest winds were expected Saturday and Saturday night. NBC News forecast coastal gusts around 60 mph, with winds as high as 65 mph possible on Long Island and in New England. AccuWeather projected gusts of 40 to 60 mph from New Jersey to Maine and as high as 80 mph around Montauk, New York, according to The Guardian.
Rain was expected to spread from the Jersey Shore to eastern Massachusetts on Saturday and continue across the Northeast and New England on Sunday. NBC News reported that rain and beach erosion would continue Monday, although winds would weaken. Travelers faced possible delays, while southeastern New England had the greatest power-outage risk because strong winds could bring down trees still carrying their leaves, NBC News reported.
In New Jersey, rough surf was already pounding the shore Friday. “The waves, the wave actions, the way it comes in, it just takes everything in its path,” said Mike Jones, emergency management director for Upper Township. “And there’s really no way to stop Mother Nature.” NBC News also reported flooded roads near the Potomac River outside Washington, the advance cancellation of the first day of a Maryland music festival, and winds above 50 mph in North Carolina.
Across the Pacific, Hurricane Nolo threatened Hawaii with heavy rain, flooding and mudslides despite a forecast that it would pass south of the Big Island, according to The Guardian. NBC News reported that Nolo had 80 mph winds and could bring up to 30 inches of rain to the Big Island. The Guardian cited AccuWeather experts warning of “catastrophic flooding and mudslides” through Monday.
The Guardian also reported that Hurricane Polo, offshore of Mexico with 160 mph winds, threatened dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding in the region. It was forecast to make landfall in Baja California as a weaker hurricane. Hurricane Odalys was expected to remain at sea with little or no impact on land.
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