Hurricane-like eye emerges in ‘blockbuster’ nor’easter set to hammer 12 US states: Prepare NOW
Millions of Americans have been warned to prepare now as a massive storm approaches the East Coast.
Meteorologists have revealed that the nor’easter, a strong storm that forms off the coast in the Atlantic, has developed a giant eye similar to other tropical cyclones that turn into hurricanes this time of year.
This well-organized storm is expected to slam into the Northeast in just hours, bringing heavy downpours, coastal flooding, tropical storm-force winds and power outages to cities and towns from Virginia to Maine.
The heaviest impacts are predicted to come in the New England area, hitting Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and southern Maine with winds potentially reaching 70 mph and four to eight inches of rain falling in many areas.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter warned in a statement: ‘This storm may be remembered for its destructive coastal flooding and severe beach erosion, especially along eastern Long Island and the Massachusetts coast.’
Coastal flood warnings have already been issued in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia on Thursday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) saying that over three feet of water from the sea will be pushed onto land in these areas.
The worst of the storm is expected to hit the East Coast by Friday, with power outages predicted to affect millions along the coasts of New Jersey, the entire New York City area, eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts and southern Maine.
AccuWeather explained that the nor’easter was now expected to stay closer to the shoreline, meaning more rainfall, stronger winds and a higher potential for floods and falling trees farther inland than previously forecasted.
Pictured: Forecast models reveal a cyclone-like development for Saturday, September 26
Heavy rain and flooding is expected across portions of 12 states this weekend
Pictured: Local flooding in Virginia on September 23. Widespread coastal flooding warnings have been issued along the East Coast on Thursday
According to AccuWeather, there will be widespread gusts between 40 and 60mph between Friday and Sunday, powerful enough to damage property.
However, some wind gusts may reach up to 80mph starting Saturday, which is the same as a Category 1 hurricane.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that these winds will likely blow down trees and damage power lines, causing widespread outages.
NWS officials in Virginia said in a statement: ‘Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property damage to homes and businesses near the waterfront and shoreline.’
They added that travel could become dangerous, especially for large box trucks, tractor-trailers, RVs, buses and moving vans, which all catch a lot of wind and can be blown over during extreme storms.
Localized flooding has already been seen in Virginia, where roadways and neighborhood streets were covered by inches of water as the storm rolls up the Atlantic coast.
In New Jersey, beaches in Atlantic City have been closed to swimmers because of the dangerous conditions. NWS has issued rip current alerts in the Carolinas, in New Jersey, in New York City and on Long Island.
Atlantic City Beach Patrol Chief Steve Downey told WPVI: ‘We’re gonna keep the water closed for any kind of bathing. Our guys are out there making sure that stays the case. It’s obviously not safe to swim at all.’
Power outages are expected in coastal communities from New Jersey to Maine due to the nor’easter
Pictured: Local flooding in Virginia on September 23. Widespread coastal flooding warnings have been issued along the East Coast on Thursday
Rip currents are strong, narrow channels of water that flow quickly away from the shore, often pulling swimmers out to sea. They can be deadly as they sweep people into deeper water, exhausting them as they try to fight against the current.
Ocean waves are also expected to grow to dangerous and potentially life-threatening levels this week, with NWS warning of eight to 12-foot waves along the Jersey Shore, Delaware and beaches in Virginia and the Carolinas on Thursday.
Those warnings are expected to move up the East Coast on Friday, with the entire Massachusetts coast expected to be at ‘major’ risk for flooding, beach erosion and property damage, according to AccuWeather.
In New England, Porter noted: ‘Many trees still have their leaves, which catch more wind and place additional strain on their roots, further increasing the risk for trees to come down and may also increase the number of power outages as compared to similar storms.’
Meteorologists have referred to the incoming storm as a ‘blockbuster’ nor’easter and compared its structure to a standard hurricane – despite the National Hurricane Center choosing to not call this weather system a named tropical cyclone.
Porter explained that the nor’easter has been slowly moving over the warm water of the Gulf Stream for several days, which has given it some of the same characteristics of tropical storms and hurricane – such as is massive swirling eye.
‘Such hybrid storms are called subtropical storms. If that occurs, the storm could be assigned a name by the National Hurricane Center,’ the meteorologist added.
Due to the expected impact of the nor’easter throughout the entire Northeast, JetBlue has already announced that anyone flying to or from New York-area or New England airports between Friday and Sunday can change or cancel their tickets for free.
This includes flights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, Westchester County and Long Island MacArthur Airports. In New Jersey, it covers Newark Airport.
In New England, the deal will cover flights to and from Boston Logan International, Worcester, Hyannis, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, and Providence in Rhode Island.
