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Hochul Declares Emergency as Nor’easter Knocks Out 100,000

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 10:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Hochul Declares Emergency

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as a powerful nor'easter struck the Northeast.
The storm left over 100,000 customers without power in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
More than 400 flights were canceled, including 130 at Boston Logan Airport.
Wind gusts reached 60-65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Coastal flooding threatened low-lying areas with waves up to 20 feet and rain up to 15 cm on Long Island.

Summary

Sherrill Activates Emergency

Governor Mikie Sherrill activated the State Emergency Operations Center with an emergency order.
Mayor Brian Kelly warned downtown flooding could exceed ocean surge from the Shrewsbury River.
Manasquan ordered a voluntary evacuation of low-lying residents, prioritizing seniors and special-needs individuals.
NJ Transit halted River Line service between Cass Street and Florence, offering substitute buses.
The MTA placed debris trains, generators and chainsaws at key sites to protect transit.

Summary

Nor'easter Fuels Flooding

The nor'easter aligns with a full-moon equinox, creating king tides that intensify coastal flooding.
Meteorologists say cold Arctic air colliding with warm Gulf Stream moisture fuels the storm’s intensity.
The Weather Prediction Center warns onshore winds will pile water into streams, hindering drainage.
NOAA says gusts can exceed hurricane-force intensity even though the system is not classified as a hurricane.

History

Historical Context

The October 28–November 2, 1991 Perfect Storm struck New England, causing over $200 million in damage and 13 deaths. The event spurred the National Weather Service and NOAA to improve coastal warnings, a practice echoed in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 emergency orders and the MTA’s generator deployment, and underscored vulnerabilities that today justify $1 billion flood-defense projects.

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Hochul Declares Emergency

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as a powerful nor'easter struck the Northeast.
The storm left over 100,000 customers without power in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
More than 400 flights were canceled, including 130 at Boston Logan Airport.
Wind gusts reached 60-65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Coastal flooding threatened low-lying areas with waves up to 20 feet and rain up to 15 cm on Long Island.

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