Wednesday, December 15, 2021
A strong September nor'easter is battering the Mid-Atlantic coast with days of coastal flooding, gusts near 50 mph, and dangerous surf, with millions from the Carolinas to New England under coastal flood alerts.
A strong autumn nor'easter has stalled off the Mid-Atlantic coast. Forecasters warn that millions of people from the Carolinas to New England face days of coastal flooding, damaging wind, and dangerous surf. The National Weather Service has posted Coastal Flood Warnings and a Wind Advisory across coastal New Jersey and Delaware, with the worst of it lined up for the middle of the week.
The setup is a slow-moving storm that keeps pushing northeast wind onto the shoreline. As of Tuesday evening the Weather Service expected sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph along the Atlantic coast, with gusts near 50 mph. Gale-force winds over the coastal waters were building seas to 8 to 15 feet. Those figures are the forecast as of this writing and may climb while the storm sits offshore.
Water is the bigger story. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected across several tide cycles, and back-bay areas such as Barnegat Bay and Indian River Bay are in line for the heaviest impacts. The Weather Service warns of widespread roadway flooding in coastal and bayside neighborhoods, with some roads becoming impassable. A high risk of rip currents and serious beach erosion runs through the end of the week.
A storm like this is a plain reminder of why coastal households prepare before the water rises. If your street takes on water, knowing the steps for surviving a flood keeps a hard day from turning into a dangerous one. Strong onshore wind also drops limbs and power lines, so it is worth a few minutes to prepare for a power outage before the lights flicker. Drivers who could get caught on the wrong side of a flooded road are the reason a get home bag rides in the trunk rather than the closet.
The storm is forecast to grind on into Thursday before a cold front finally shoves it out to sea. Coastal flood alerts and evacuation notices can shift with each tide, so the move right now is to stay informed. Check your local National Weather Service office and your county emergency alerts before you travel, and take posted flood and evacuation notices at their word. Be Prepared Not Scared.
