Coastal storms batter Mid‑Atlantic and New England as Hawaii braces for Hurricane Nolo
A fierce nor'easter knocks out power and triggers flooding on the East Coast while a tropical cyclone heads toward Hawaii.
A massive nor'easter surged across the Mid‑Atlantic and New England on Saturday, tearing through coastal towns with gusts that NPR reported reached 60‑70 mph in places like New Jersey and Connecticut. The storm dumped more than two inches of rain in several locations, prompting flash‑flood warnings and leaving thousands of residents without electricity.
Power crews are racing to restore service as municipal officials declared emergency declarations in affected counties. In New York City, the Department of Environmental Protection warned of possible sewer overflows, while Massachusetts urged drivers to avoid low‑lying roads that could become impassable after heavy downpours.
At the same time, meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Nolo, a Category 1 system moving westward toward the Hawaiian Islands. NPR noted that Nolo is expected to bring sustained winds of 80‑90 mph to parts of the archipelago later this week, creating an unusual scenario of severe weather on opposite coasts of the United States.
Nor'easters are a distinct type of extratropical cyclone that develop when cold Arctic air meets warm Atlantic waters, typically between September and April. Their rotating wind patterns generate strong onshore breezes that can produce coastal erosion, storm surges, and inland flooding. Climate scientists have observed that warmer ocean temperatures can intensify these storms, leading to higher precipitation rates and more widespread power outages.
Local emergency managers have opened shelters in Connecticut and Rhode Island, distributing sandbags and urging residents to secure loose objects. The National Weather Service advises motorists to travel only if necessary, to keep emergency kits handy, and to stay tuned for updates as the system tracks northeastward.
Forecasters expect the nor'easter to weaken as it moves offshore early next week, but residual rain and wind could linger, especially in the mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo is projected to make landfall on the Big Island by Thursday, prompting a separate set of evacuation orders and coastal closures. Both storms underscore the challenges of preparing for back‑to‑back extreme weather events in a warming climate.
This report is based on original reporting by NPR. Read the original source →