NEW YORK —A powerful storm sweeping up the East Coast unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across the Northeast on Monday, posing threats of flooding, widespread power outages, and disruptions to transportation and education. The National Weather Service anticipated rainfall reaching up to 5 inches in certain areas, with over 300,000 reported power outages in Pennsylvania and New England. Incidents of trees toppling onto power lines added to the challenges, compounded by wind gusts potentially reaching 60 mph along the southern New England coast.
Flood and flash flood warnings were issued for various areas, including New York City, parts of Pennsylvania, upstate New York, western Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and sections of New Hampshire and Maine. Flight disruptions were notable, with over 70 cancellations and 120 delays at New York-area airports. Many school districts opted for closures or delays due to the adverse conditions, while commuter rail systems reported delays and numerous road closures were enforced.
New York City experienced temporary closure of the Verrazzano Bridge due to high winds, reopening later with restrictions on large vehicles. Rhode Island officials similarly restricted tractor-trailers on certain bridges over Narragansett Bay. The storm left its mark on New York City with over 90 reports of downed trees, including an incident in Guilford, Connecticut, where a tree fell on a police cruiser without causing injuries.
Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to utilize mass transit and avoid unnecessary travel on flooded roads, echoing state government officials' calls for caution. Meanwhile, in western New York, a shift to colder temperatures was expected to bring several inches of lake-effect snow on Monday night into Tuesday.
The storm's path up the East Coast unfolded over the weekend, setting rainfall records and prompting water rescues. Unseasonably warm temperatures exceeding 60 degrees Celsius marked Monday's weather in the Northeast. This event occurred just a week after a preceding storm wrought havoc in the region, leading to flooding and power outages, coupled with deadly tornadoes in Tennessee.