What is the location of the flooding?
As of September 27, 2026, a slow-moving, early-season nor’easter is causing coastal and rain-driven flooding along the US East Coast.
The most severe impacts are in New York and New Jersey. On Sunday, the center of the storm sat about 50 miles south of Long Island’s southern shore, sending bands of rain from Massachusetts to southern New Jersey and into the Mid-Atlantic (1).
Coastal flooding has been heaviest around New York Harbor, Long Island, the Jersey Shore, and Long Island Sound. Minor to moderate coastal flooding was forecast from Virginia to eastern Massachusetts (2).
Storm surge and heavy rain have pushed water levels above normal across rivers, bays, and sounds from Massachusetts to Delaware, including:
- Jamaica Bay in Queens
- Great South Bay and the Peconic River on Long Island
- Western Long Island Sound, 3.1 feet above normal high tide at Kings Point
- The Hudson River in southeastern New York
- Newark Bay and the Kill Van Kull in New Jersey
- Barnegat Bay in New Jersey and Rehoboth Bay in Delaware
- The Taunton River in Massachusetts
On Saturday, September 26, water levels in Atlantic City, New Jersey, reached their highest point since Superstorm Sandy (3).
Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding?
Flooding, storm surge, and heavy rain have directly affected many coastal communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Affected cities and towns include:
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Connecticut: Bridgeport, New Haven, New London, Stamford
- Delaware: Indian River Bay, Rehoboth Bay, Sussex County
- Maryland: Dorchester County, Somerset County, Wicomico County
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Massachusetts: Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Cape Cod, Fall River, Lowell, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, New Bedford, Plymouth, Quincy, Taunton, Worcester
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New Jersey: Barnegat Bay, Jersey City, Long Beach Island, Manasquan, Monmouth County, Newark, Ocean County, Perth Amboy
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New York: Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester
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Rhode Island: Block Island, Newport, Providence, Warwick, Westerly
- Virginia: Eastern Shore, Newport News, Northern Neck
What is the current containment status of the flooding?
As of September 28, 2026, the nor’easter is weakening and floodwaters are receding in some coastal areas. Some minor to moderate flood threats continue through Monday and into Tuesday. Officials say the worst of the storm has passed, but more rain and high tides could still cause localized flooding (4).
Recovery is underway across the region. Power outages dropped from about 136,000 to 110,000 customers by Sunday afternoon. New Jersey has restored service to nearly 180,000 people (5).
Wind map of northeastern USA, as of September 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
States of emergency are in effect in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, as well as in eight New Jersey counties. Manasquan, New Jersey, issued a voluntary evacuation, particularly for elderly residents and those with special needs (6).
Coastal flood warnings remain in effect until 2 p.m. EDT Monday for Ocean County, New Jersey, and Sussex County, Delaware, where back bay flooding may continue past Monday afternoon (7).
A flood watch covers eastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island through late Monday night. Coastal flood warnings for New York City, Long Island, and coastal Connecticut ended Sunday evening (8).
North Carolina declared a state of emergency for Hatteras Island. An emergency ferry service now connects the island to the mainland, and access is limited to residents and essential visitors. Hoboken, New Jersey, is also under a boil-water advisory for parts of the city.
New York City residents can text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for emergency alerts. Residents everywhere should avoid driving or walking through floodwater and should treat all downed power lines as live (9).
How can I protect myself from mold after flooding?
It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood.
- Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage.
- Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores.
- If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water.
- Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth.
- Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials.
- Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic.
- Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Run a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work.
- If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration.
Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.
