Devastating Northeast Storm Causes Widespread Power Outages and Dangerous Flooding
Intense storm wreaks havoc in the Northeast, causing widespread power outages, treacherous flooding, and relentless winds
Monday morning saw a surge in power outages across the Northeast due to a severe storm bringing heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. More than 300,000 customers from Virginia to New England were affected by widespread wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, with Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts experiencing the highest number of outages. This information comes from poweroutage.us.
The likelihood of power outages increasing throughout the morning due to ongoing strong winds, making restoration challenging alongside gusty winds predicted for Monday. The Northeast is facing a hazardous morning commute, with flood alerts extending from Maryland to Maine and several states under warnings for dangerous flash flooding.
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Currently, intense rainfall is causing rapid flooding in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and southern New England. Strong gusts of wind, ranging from 40 to 50 mph, are widespread, extending from New York City to Maine.
Wind: Strong winds will persist near the coast from New York to southern New England through Monday afternoon, with breezy conditions lingering into the evening. The strongest winds will shift into Maine by Monday afternoon and last through Monday night.
Heavy rain: The heaviest rain will taper off in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York by Monday afternoon, but will continue across much of New England throughout the day.
Coastal flooding alerts are in effect from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. Strong winds are pushing water inland, and there is a potential for significant coastal flooding in certain areas. In New York, residents in low-lying areas may experience ankle-deep floodwaters, with around 1 foot of flooding expected.
Parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut could experience minor to moderate urban flooding, especially in poorly drained areas, warned the National Weather Service in New York City. There is a high risk for flooding in low-lying housing, like first floors, basements, and underground residences.
Additionally, significant coastal flooding is possible in southern New England, with waterways in some parts of Rhode Island potentially reaching levels not seen in over 30 years.
Cars were left stranded in flood waters on River St in Paterson, NJ on Monday Dec. 18, 2023.
Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK
On Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued high wind warnings for over 15 million people from the Carolinas to Maine. They cautioned that strong gusts could create challenging travel conditions in southern Connecticut, southeastern New York, and Boston.
Officials have warned that these powerful gusts have the potential to knock down trees and power lines, as well as cause damage to outdoor holiday decorations in certain areas of the region.
Over the weekend, the storm caused widespread destruction in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, leading to dangerous flooding in eastern South Carolina and a tornado watch in North Carolina that affected over 1 million people.
The storm system is expected to move away from the Northeast by later Monday evening, but its impact is expected to persist, according to the weather service.
"Despite the storm beginning to leave the Northeast on Monday evening, its extensive circulation will bring strong and gusty conditions across the entire eastern U.S.," stated the weather service.
Lance Kreitzer, 21, waits in his kayak while fire and rescue workers work to assist residents on a flooded road in St. Petersburg, Florida, on December 17.
Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press
Southeast sees damaging flooding
On Saturday, the storm started moving along the coast, causing widespread damage in Florida before continuing to affect the Southeastern coast on Sunday. The powerful winds and heavy rainfall led to a flash flood emergency in Georgetown County, South Carolina, with water rescues taking place near Myrtle Beach. The National Weather Service also reported snapped power poles, fallen trees, and damaged buildings in the region.
Georgetown, located about 40 miles south of Myrtle Beach, received nearly a foot of rain, as reported by the weather service. Record rainfall totals were also observed across the state, with downtown Charleston recording 3.86 inches of rain, surpassing the previous record of 1.18 inches set in 1923.
CNNs Sara Tonks and Nouran Salahieh contributed to this report.
