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Josephine Brings 14-Foot Waves, Flooding to East Coast

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Josephine Causes Flooding

The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical Storm Josephine is causing coastal flooding and gale-force winds on the East Coast.
Josephine has 65 mph sustained winds and sits about 265 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Coastal flood alerts warn North Carolina’s Outer Banks of 1-4 feet of possible inundation.
High surf advisories forecast up to 14-foot waves along North Carolina’s coast.
Rip currents may be life-threatening from Florida to New England through the week.

Summary

Scientists Predict Low ACE

Scientists project the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will record the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) since 1950.
Strong El Niño wind shear limited storm development, leaving Josephine the tenth named storm.
Royal Caribbean rerouted Oasis of the Seas to Halifax, delaying its Bahamas-Florida itinerary.
Forecast models suggest Josephine may become a post-tropical cyclone rather than a hurricane in cooler waters.

History

Historical Context

In 1950 the U.S. Weather Bureau named Atlantic storms for the first time, using the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, and the season produced 16 tropical storms, six of which became major hurricanes. Modern reanalysis showed its accumulated cyclone energy was far lower than originally thought, a pattern echoed today as the National Hurricane Center monitors Storm Josephine’s modest 65-mph winds amid El Niño-driven shear.

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Josephine Causes Flooding

The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical Storm Josephine is causing coastal flooding and gale-force winds on the East Coast.
Josephine has 65 mph sustained winds and sits about 265 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Coastal flood alerts warn North Carolina’s Outer Banks of 1-4 feet of possible inundation.
High surf advisories forecast up to 14-foot waves along North Carolina’s coast.
Rip currents may be life-threatening from Florida to New England through the week.

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