A fierce storm has disrupted hundreds of flights in the northeast on Monday, with power out for over half a million people from Virginia north through New England.
New England saw the worst of the storm Monday morning with nearly 140,000 left without power in Massachusetts and 119,000 in Maine after winds of up to 55mph hit the region.
Millions saw their commutes affected Monday morning and hundreds of flights in and out of Boston and New York City were cancelled, with hundreds more delayed.
About 58million are under flood watches from North Carolina to Maine, including in cities like Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Virginia Beach.
The weather service’s flash flood warnings includes New York City and the surrounding area, parts of Pennsylvania, upstate New York, western Connecticut, western Massachusetts and parts of New Hampshire and Maine.
New York City is on flood watch with millions expected to see their commutes affected as wind gusts reach up to 55mph Monday
A truck is submerged in flood water on Nepperhan Avenue after a large rainstorm in Elmsford, New York
Cars drive through a flooded street in Northvale, New Jersey
Over 245,000 power outages were reported from Pennsylvania to New York to New England. Paterson, New Jersey, seen above
Rescuers had to help people out of their vehicles in New Jersey
TRI-STATE AREA
As many as 157 coming to and from LaGuardia airport in New York City have been cancelled, and another 60 at John F Kennedy, according to FlightAware. Many school districts canceled or delayed classes because of the conditions. Commuter rail systems were reporting delays.
NYC officials have warned people to limit travel and The Verrazzano Bridge has been closed in both directions.
In New Jersey, mote than 40,000 are reportedly without power. Several motorists had to be rescued in Newark due to street flooding, with first-responders pulling them from their vehicles to safety.
The flood watch in NYC and a coastal warning effect in southern Queens will remain in effect until 6pm EST.
High-wind advisories are in place in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, with a high-wind watch in effect for Brooklyn and Queens.
New York Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory for Sunday and Monday. ‘We will get through this storm, but preparation is the key,’ New York Mayor Eric Adams said on Sunday.
Drivers had to be rescued in Newark, New Jersey due to flooding
Passengers are seen waiting for their delayed trains at Penn Station in New York City
A man carries an umbrella as he walks through heavy rain in Times Square in New York City on Monday
A pedestrian hustles across Seventh Avenue as heavy rain falls in Times Square in New York City on Monday
Several flights have been canceled out of New York’s LaGuardia airport Monday morning
People wait for a delayed flight to Detroit at LaGuardia airport in Queens, New York, on Monday
A truck backs up after a tree fell across Lake Street in North Salem New York during heavy rain and wind
‘As the forecast for this evening’s weather intensifies, our city agencies are hard at work, making sure we can handle anything the storm throws at us,’ Adams said on Sunday.
‘But we need your help, too. Before the storm starts, secure any loose outdoors items, clear your catch basins if it’s safe, and if you live in a low-lying or poor drainage area, make sure you have a plan for if it floods.’
He added: ‘Once the storm starts, stay off the roads, so our emergency vehicles can get wherever they need to go. If you have to go out, use mass transit. And sign up for Notify NYC, to make sure you have the most up-to-date information you need to stay safe.’
The weather service said there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Monday morning, with the potential for flash flooding. Northern New England is expected to get the heaviest rain Monday through Tuesday morning.
NEW ENGLAND
Trees and power lines fell in many areas, including some that landed on homes and cars. In the coastal town of Guilford, Connecticut, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Hartford, a tree fell on a police cruiser but the officer escaped injury, officials said.
Certain roads throughout the region were closed due to flooding or downed trees.
‘Check your route before your morning commute, don´t drive through standing water, and don´t touch downed wires,’ New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy posted on X. ‘Remember: Turn around, don´t drown.’
Utility company Eversource said: ‘Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to clear tree damage caused by the powerful winds whipping across the state,. As the storm continues to cause damage, remember to stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911—and be sure to report any outages.’
Boston’s Logan International Airport grounded all flights Monday morning because of the poor condition
Boston Logan saw more than 100 canceled flights and about 375 delays Monday
High winds drive surf into a retaining wall in front of a residence in Mattapoisett, MA
High winds and driving rain have caused many trees to fall like this one on Main Street, Rt. 3A in Marshfield Massachusetts. Drivers have had to navigate many closed roads on Monday
A high-wind warning will be in effect until 7pm EST – with expected winds of 25 to 20mph and gusts as strong as 60mph.
Coastal flooding is also expected at noon today during high tide.
Boston’s Logan International Airport grounded all flights Monday morning because of the poor conditions, leading to more than 100 canceled flights and about 375 delays, according to the flight-tracking service FlightAware.
Meanwhile in Rhode Island, winds reached 60mph Monday morning, prompting some schools to close for the day.
The Narragansett Bay could reach its highest level since 1991 this afternoon, The New York Times reported.
In Connecticut, over 81,000 customers were without power as of 8am.
PENNSYLVANIA
In northeastern and central Pennsylvania, heavy rain that fell overnight flooded ponds, streams and creeks in several counties, forcing authorities to close several major roadways.
The Delaware River spilled over its banks in suburban Philadelphia, leading to road closures.
In the suburb of Washington Crossing, crews placed barriers along roadways and worked to clear fallen tree limbs. Seven people died after flash flooding in that area over the summer.
STORM PASSED THROUGH THE SOUTH
The weather system already plummeted Florida and brought flash flooding in South Carolina before moving north.
The intense late-year storm barreled up the East Coast on Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds that shattered rainfall records, forced water rescues from flooded streets and washed out holiday celebrations.
Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina’s waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said. More than 9 inches of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday.
‘It’s not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,’ Broach said. ‘It’s areas that we’re not really expecting to have flooding issues…It’s like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December.’
The storm was forecast to gain strength as it tracked along the Georgia and Carolina coasts, producing heavy rain and gusty winds before sweeping into New England by Monday morning, the weather service said. Wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph could bring down trees, especially on saturated ground.
There were numerous road closures in Charleston and across South Carolina’s Lowcountry, while stranded cars littered streets.
The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly posted on X: ‘The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult’
There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, Broach said.
Gusty winds were strong enough to topple some signs and trees. Outdoor holiday decorations were tossed about, she said.
A Tornado Watch was in effect for parts of eastern North Carolina until 8 p.m. EST on Sunday evening.
The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly posted on X: ‘The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult.’
The National Weather Service also posted: ‘Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms.’
The National Weather Service also posted: ‘Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms’
Saturday was stormy across most of Florida, forcing outdoor holiday parties to be cancelled. Outside decorations that aren’t battened down were likely to blow away.
The mass of wind and rain is expected to head up the east coast just in time for the start of the holiday travel season.
‘Saturday is a complete washout as this disturbance moves over,’ said George Rizzuto, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Miami.
‘The northern part of Florida will be at risk for some pretty heavy rainfall through the entire day.’
Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay waterpark shut down for the day due to the weather.
Sybil and Stella, a pair of bearded collies, go for a morning walk in high winds near the intersection of Worth Ave. and S. Ocean Blvd in Miami on Saturday
The Juno Beach Pier is slammed by big waves in Juno Beach, Florida. The National Weather Service forecast sustained winds of 30-40 mph and seas of 10-15 foot waves
Miami’s palm trees look a little bent out of shape in the strong winds. Bob Givehchi, left, and his son Daniel, 8, are seen visiting Miami for the first time, walking past debris and palm trees at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Florida
Waves pound the Lake Worth Inlet next to the pump house in Palm Beach Shore, Florida
Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy take photos as the waves splash in Key West, as squalls of rain and wind batter the Florida Keys
Holiday events across the state were canceled, such as the Christmas boat parade in Indian Rocks Beach along the Gulf Coast. ‘See you next year,’ the town website said.
At least five boat parades were canceled or postponed in South Florida, including the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale.
Several outdoor holiday events were canceled, from South Florida up into the rest of the peninsula. That included Saturday’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade and at least four other similar events across the region, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
‘The safety and well-being of our participants and spectators are of utmost importance to us,’ Winterfest organizers said on their website. ‘The inclement weather conditions, beyond our control, make it impossible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.’
Rizzuto said winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected across much of the coastline, with gusts up to 45 mph.
Florida and the East Coast are bearing the brunt of heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds throughout the region
The storm could spawn a few tornadoes and is set to bring up to six inches of rain to Florida
Major cities such as Washington D.C., New York, and Boston could see rainfall ranging from two to four inches
The storm made landfall in Florida on Saturday, and is moving north along the East Coast, reaching as far as New England on Sunday
The storm will eventually move off the east coast throughout Monday
Coastal areas run the risk of flooding due to the sheer amount of rainfall
Rain is forecast all along the eastern seaboard throughout the weekend
Gale warnings were issued along the coast with Rizzuto advising boaters to take extra precaution.
‘Out there over the water, you can expect some pretty rough seas with some wave heights around 12 to 15 feet,’ he said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday activated the new Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer organization created last year, to assist with any storm impacts from such things as flooding and high winds.
‘The Florida State Guard plays an essential role in Florida’s preparation for and swift response to severe weather,’ the Republican governor explained.
One Christmas event at Disney World was cancelled as a result of the inclement weather
Wingfoiler Billy Padrino takes to the water on Rickenbacker Causeway beach blown along by storm force winds
A person fishes on the Newport Fishing Pier in Sunny Isles Beach as gusty winds and heavy rain pounds the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach areas
Coconut trees are battered by heavy winds along the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami as near tropical storm-force wind gusts batter the area
Subha Gaja, Tamil Azh, Vaishu Sank, and Asha Bora, of North Carolina, walk through the waves crashing on the shore as a cargo ship departs the Port of Miami
The Miami (Ohio) band plays as rain pours down throughout the first half of the Cure Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, on Saturday in Orlando
The Juno Beach Pier is slammed by big waves in Juno Beach, Florida
Annika Sorenstam (right) along with son Will McGee (middle) and husband Mike McGee brave the constant rain on the fifth hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando
Miguel Castellanos, 8, and his sister Maria Castellanos,15, of Tennessee, run from the waves crashing on the shore while vacationing on South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
The Miami skyline as seen from the Rickenbacker Causeway as near-tropical storm-force winds pound the area
Wingfoiler Eric Hoytink takes to the water on the Rickenbacker Causeway beach as a storm batters the area
Beachgoers in Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, were being encouraged not to get into the water at all.
If they did, they should enter the water near a lifeguard tower and not get beyond waist deep, Volusia County officials said in a warning.
As an extra precaution, county workers removed trash cans and portable restrooms from the beach.
In Hollywood, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, city officials warned residents to be mindful of floods.
The area has had significant rainfall over the past two months and some low-lying neighborhoods tend to flood in heavy rain.
Further up the coast in Volusia County, Emergency Management Director Jim Judge urged local residents to make sure Christmas decorations were secured for the storm on Saturday.
‘Just take the normal precautions you would have with a tropical storm, and even though we’re not looking at anything near that way, if you take those precautions, then you’ll be able to weather this event,’ Judge said.