The first nor’easter of the season could affect more than 30 million people with devastating winds and flooding. Forecasters say it could develop into a bomb cyclone just as another blasted the West Coast over the weekend.
Overnight, the storm began soaking the Northeast with one to three inches of rain with some areas that experienced even higher amounts. Across the region, locally moderate flooding is forecast with heavy rain and strong damaging winds of up to 60 miles per hour are expected to continue into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Flash flood watches are in effect for more than 31 million people.
New York and New Jersey’s governors declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. In both states, crews cleared drains and handed out sandbags to keep potential rushing water out. Officials hope to be as prepared as possible to avoid a repeat of the deadly tropical storms this past summer when a record rainfall killed over 50 people.
Severe weather that struck the midwest on Sunday is in the Northeast meeting up with a coastal storm, which created the first nor’easter of the season. More than a dozen tornadoes have slammed Missouri and Illinois.
Devastating winds caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and a main electrical substation. The nor’easter striking Tuesday comes as thousands of people in California are still in the dark as a massive cleanup effort continues.
