On Monday, a powerful storm pummeled the mid-Atlantic coast with heavy rain and thunderstorms, affecting 59 million people from Virginia to Maine with flood alerts. The storm left nearly 700,000 homes and businesses without power and disrupted holiday travel with numerous flight delays and cancellations.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has warned of a slight risk of excessive rainfall in parts of New England through Tuesday. This could lead to localized flash flooding, particularly affecting urban areas, roads, and small streams.
Previously, the storm system brought strong winds and torrential rain to Florida and the Carolinas over the weekend. Charleston set a daily rainfall record of 3.86 inches, while Gainesville, Florida, saw over 7 inches. South Carolina also experienced a record high tide of nearly 10 feet from the storm surge.
Heavy Rain and High Winds Impact 59 Million from Virginia to Maine, With Record Flooding and Travel Chaos Ahead of the HolidaysThe East Coast is struggling with the aftermath, as nearly 700,000 people in New England and New York are currently without power, according to PowerOutage.us. In New York City, flooding conditions, power outages, and high winds have prompted a travel advisory.
The city’s emergency management office has warned of “imminent” flash flooding in Manhattan and the Bronx, urging residents to avoid basements and low-lying areas. Over 10,000 people in the city are without power, with more than 200 downed trees reported.
In Connecticut, floodwaters have led to road closures and water rescues, while parts of Boston’s Massachusetts College of Art and Design sustained exterior damage. Amtrak services between Providence and Boston were briefly disrupted due to power issues.
Nationwide, over 2,000 flights have been delayed and more than 400 canceled as of Monday, exacerbating holiday travel chaos. Wind alerts are in place for 38 million people in the Northeast, with significant gusts recorded at major airports.
The storm’s heavy rain is expected to taper off as it moves into Canada by Monday evening, though lake-effect snow and additional rainfall are forecasted for the West Coast in the coming days.