Hurricane Tracker Follows Nor'easter That Causes Northeast Flooding and Power Outages
A slow-moving nor'easter is battering the US Northeast and East Coast, causing coastal flooding, power outages for more than 100,000 customers, flight disruptions, at least one death, and the cancellation of Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium, according to hurricane tracker updates on the storm's path and effects.
Nor'easter Impacts Northeast and East Coast
The nor'easter has produced high winds, heavy rains, big waves up to 20 feet, and coastal flooding from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, with the storm expected to continue through Monday. [5] A slow-moving, powerful storm crept along the coast of the U.S. Northeast on Saturday, producing high winds that caused power outages while whipping up big waves and heavy rains that created dangerous conditions. [3] More than 100,000 homes and businesses lost power at one point as the storm knocked down trees, branches and power lines across the region. [5] More than 88,000 customers remained without power in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania as of Saturday afternoon, after more than 100,000 lost electricity at one point. [5] The New York City Housing Authority said one of its employees died amid the conditions created by the storm. [3] Around 425 flights were cancelled and more than 1,300 delayed across US airports, while flooded streets in New Jersey and New York led some residents to use kayaks. [5] In New Jersey and New York, flooded streets became so deep that some residents took to kayaks. [5] Along the coast, powerful waves battered beaches, eroded dunes and damaged property. [5] In Surf City, New Jersey, water is rising inside houses as people’s belongings also get displaced by the strong forces of wind and rain. [5] In Ocean City, Maryland, heavy surf eroded beaches and washed away dune fencing. [5] In Norfolk, Virginia, flooding left vehicles struggling through waterlogged roads. [5] The disruption extended well beyond homes and roads. [5] Flights were cancelled, sporting events were rescheduled and concerts and festivals were called off as the storm moved slowly along the coast. [5] The National Weather Service warned that the storm could continue bringing coastal flooding, rip currents, strong wind gusts and heavy rain through Monday. [5] The biggest threat was expected along coastal and bayside communities, where exceptionally high tides could send water onto roads and into homes and businesses. [5]
Concert Cancellations at Gillette Stadium
Ed Sheeran concerts canceled at Gillette Stadium due to nor’easter warnings. — Source: timesofindia Ed Sheeran’s two sold-out concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, scheduled for September 25 and 26, were canceled due to severe weather and safety concerns, with refunds issued. [4] Ed Sheeran’s two sold-out concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, were canceled just hours before the scheduled performances as a powerful nor’easter threatened New England. [4] The cancellation was reported by the BBC, CBS Boston and Boston 25 News, with the venue and tour promoter pointing to severe weather conditions and safety concerns. [4] The shows, scheduled for Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, were part of Sheeran’s ongoing Loop Tour. [4] Both dates were listed as canceled on Ticketmaster, with the concerts originally scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. [4] The decision came as a major fall nor’easter moved toward the region, bringing the threat of heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding and rough surf across parts of New England. [4] Local weather warnings remained in effect through the weekend, prompting concerns about travel as well as conditions at the outdoor stadium. [4] Gillette Stadium said the decision followed consultations with local officials, the promoter and the tour. [4] The venue said safety was the priority and confirmed that refunds would be available through the original point of purchase. [4] Fans who bought their tickets through Ticketmaster were set to receive automatic refunds. [4] The abrupt cancellation marked another disruption for Sheeran’s US tour, which has already faced significant attention in recent weeks over the removal of rapper Macklemore as an opening act. [4] Macklemore had performed on earlier dates of the tour while making outspoken comments supporting Palestinians and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. [4] Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and operator of Gillette Stadium, had objected to Macklemore’s appearances following those comments. [4] The rapper was subsequently removed from the remaining tour dates, with the promoter saying venue owners would not allow him to perform. [4] Sheeran has said the decision was made by his promoter rather than by him. [4] The controversy also prompted several artists connected with the tour to withdraw. [4] Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia on September 19 with a new backing lineup and addressed the turmoil surrounding the tour. [4] The Massachusetts shows were therefore already among the most closely watched dates on the Loop Tour. [4] Their cancellation, however, was officially attributed to the weather rather than the earlier dispute. [4] For ticket holders, the immediate concern was whether they would be able to recover the money spent on the canceled performances. [4] The stadium confirmed that refunds were available, while Ticketmaster’s event listings now show both September 25 and September 26 performances as canceled. [4] Sheeran’s next listed US performances are scheduled to continue in October, with dates at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on October 3 and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on October 10. [4]
Flood Warnings in Kansas and New Jersey
Flood Warnings have been issued for the Big Blue River near Blue Rapids in Marshall County, Kansas, with minor flooding forecast until Monday morning, and for the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills in Somerset County, New Jersey, with minor flooding from late Sunday night to Tuesday morning. [1] [2] The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Kansas, including the Big Blue River near Blue Rapids affecting Marshall County. [1] Minor flooding is forecast for the Big Blue River near Blue Rapids. [1] The warning for the Big Blue River near Blue Rapids is in effect until Monday morning. [1] At 26.0 feet, minor lowland flooding occurs from Marysville to Tuttle Creek Lake. [1] At 2:15 PM CDT Sunday the stage was 25.9 feet. [1] The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in New Jersey, including the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills affecting Somerset County. [2] For the Millstone River including Blackwells Mills, minor flooding is forecast. [2] Minor flooding is forecast for the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills. [2] The warning for the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills is in effect from late tonight to Tuesday morning. [2] At 10.0 feet, the D&R Canal is flooded by the Millstone River. [2]
What Is a Nor'easter and Role of El Niño
A nor'easter is a powerful storm that develops along or near the US East Coast, typically moving northeastward while drawing energy from the contrast between cold air to the north and warmer, moist air to the south and over the Atlantic. [5] The storms get their name from the northeasterly winds that can batter the coast as the system strengthens. [5] They can bring a dangerous combination of heavy rain, powerful winds, coastal flooding and huge waves. [5] Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and worsen inland flooding, while strong gusts can bring down trees, damage buildings and snap power lines. [5] High tides, combined with storm-driven water, can push seawater onto roads and into coastal communities. [5] Meanwhile, prolonged strong winds can whip up dangerous surf and accelerate beach and dune erosion. [5] This storm is particularly threatening because it is slow-moving. [5] That means coastal areas can remain exposed to strong winds, waves and high water for a prolonged period rather than getting a quick hit and recovery. [5] The immediate ingredients are the storm’s atmospheric setup, strong winds, moisture and the temperature contrasts that help nor'easters intensify. [5] But there is a bigger climate pattern in the background: El Niño. [5] El Niño is a natural cycle in the tropical Pacific in which unusually warm ocean temperatures alter atmospheric circulation far beyond the Pacific. [5] This year’s El Niño is particularly strong. [5] Its effects are being felt across the US, although scientists stress that it does not directly cause every individual storm. [5] For the Northeast, El Niño can shift the Pacific jet stream southward. [5] That atmospheric pattern can help provide energy and moisture for storms forming off the southeastern US before they move north along the East Coast. [5] Nor’easters also appear to occur more frequently during El Niño years, according to a New York Times report. [5]
Ongoing Risks and Outlook
The storm is linked to a strong El Niño pattern that can increase nor'easter frequency by shifting the Pacific jet stream southward. [5] For the East Coast, the immediate concern remains water and wind. [5] The highest tides were expected north of Atlantic City from Saturday night into Sunday, raising the risk of widespread flooding in coastal and bayside communities. [5] Tens of millions of people remained in the storm’s path, while emergency agencies prepared for further outages and flooding. [5] And while nor'easters are a familiar part of the Northeast’s colder months, forecasters said this storm arrived somewhat earlier than usual for a system of this strength. [5] El Niño is also expected to influence other weather patterns through the coming months, researchers are currently keeping an eye on what they should expect next. [5] The National Weather Service warned that the storm could continue bringing coastal flooding, rip currents, strong wind gusts and heavy rain through Monday. [5]
What to watch next includes continued coastal flooding, rip currents, strong wind gusts and heavy rain through Monday along with the highest tides north of Atlantic City.
