Storm-related warnings and advisories extend over about 900 miles from the Outer Banks in the Carolinas to Maine.
States of emergency have been declared in most of downstate New York, including the five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester County, as well as eight coastal New Jersey counties.
The National Weather Service warns that prolonged rain and strong gusts could bring down trees and power lines.
Related report - Nor’easter Takes Aim: What To Do Now Before Conditions Worsen, Power Outages Strike
The greatest wind concerns center on exposed coastal areas. NWS forecasts gusts near 55 mph on eastern Long Island and its immediate southern shoreline. Cape Cod and the islands could see gusts reaching 60 mph, especially Friday night, Sept. 25 through Saturday morning, Sept. 26. Trees still carrying leaves increase the risk of broken limbs and outages.
AccuWeather highlights the corridor from Long Island through southern and eastern New England for potential power disruptions. Its supplied wind map forecasts coastal gusts of 40 to 60 mph, with isolated gusts potentially reaching 80 mph.
“The Nor’easter has strengthened over the Atlantic and is expected to stay closer to the shoreline,” said AccuWeather expert meteorologist Elizabeth Danco. “This will bring more rain inland, but more importantly, stronger winds closer to shore.
“This region has experienced soaking rains in recent weeks, making it particularly susceptible to falling trees and flooding.”
Heavy rain adds another concern. NWS projects 3 to 4 inches across central and eastern Long Island through Sunday, Sept. 27, and 3 to 5 inches across southern New England, with the heaviest totals favored in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
AccuWeather’s outlook is higher, forecasting 4 to 8 inches from central Massachusetts to Cape Cod and into far eastern Long Island.
Coastal flooding could peak around New York Friday night and Saturday morning. Higher astronomical tides associated with the full moon will compound the surge, with some Long Island south shore bays facing potential major flooding.
Farther south, moderate to locally major tidal flooding remains a concern around the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s tidal rivers. Some middle Bay locations could face flooding through the weekend.
Winds should gradually ease Sunday, but improvement will be slow.
Rain could linger into Monday, Sept. 28, with a broader break developing Tuesday, Sept. 29, into midweek.
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