East Coast storm death toll climbs to five as thousands still without power: Live
At least five people have died after dangerous flooding pounded New England.
A man in Pennsylvania and a woman in South Carolina – both in their 70s – died after their vehicles were submerged in high water, local officials reported. Two other people were killed by falling trees in Maine and Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, a fifth person died in New York when their vehicle went around a barricade on a flooded road and was swept into the Catskill Creek, the Times Union reported.
It comes after 58 million Americans were put under flood warnings yesterday amid a major storm on the East Coast.
The storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the region within a 24-hour period, triggering flooding that engulfed cars, trapped drivers on inundated roadways in New Jersey and Connecticut, and prompted water rescues in New Hampshire and Maine.
The severe weather also left more than 620,000 homes and businesses in the region without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remain in the dark as of Tuesday morning.
Key points
58 million Americans under flood watches
More than 600,000 across the northeast are without power: tracker
Five killed as dangerous floods pound New England
Storm moves to Canada, but its impact will ‘linger’ - NWS
Death toll from storms climbs to five
14:02 , Martha Mchardy
The death toll from a major storm that battered the East Coast on Monday has risen to five.
A man in Pennsylvania and a woman in South Carolina – both in their 70s – died after their vehicles were submerged in high water, local officials reported. Two other people were killed by falling trees in Maine and Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, a fifth person died in New York when their vehicle went around a barricade on a flooded road and was swept into the Catskill Creek, the Times Union reported.
Latest pictures show extent of flooding
13:45 , Martha Mchardy
ICYMI: Record-breaking storm hit the northeastern US
13:30 , Katie Hawkinson
A disastrous rainstorm struck the northeastern US over the weekend and into Monday, causing flooding and power outages throughout the region.
Hundreds of thousands were without power by Monday afternoon, with Maine experiencing the most outages, tracker PowerOutage.us reported. Meanwhile, heavy rain caused hundreds of flight delays and cancellations at New York City and Boston airports.
South Carolina and Georgia also broke records for rainfall, one of which was last set in 1880.
As the rain is expected to calm on Tuesday morning, weather officials warn that floods may still pose a threat to residents for several days.
500 flights cancelled as a result of storm, with almost 5,000 delayed
13:15 , Martha Mchardy
Some 500 flights travelling to or in the US were cancelled on Monday as a result of a major storm that killed four, according to FlightAware.
Meanwhile, 4,900 flights were delayed. The worst-affected airports were in the Boston and New York areas.
On Monday, high winds caused delays of up to three hours for flights leaving John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Four dead from flooding and fallen trees
12:47 , Martha Mchardy
At least four people have died after dangerous flooding and strong winds pounded New England.
A 72-year-old woman, named as Nancy Morrow, died in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on Sunday after becoming trapped as her car was fully submerged in water, officials said.
Officers jumped in the water to try to save her but were not able to, officials added.
More than six inches of rain inundated the area on Sunday.
Another 73-year-old man, identified as Allan “Ray “ Nolt, in Pennsylvania was also killed after his vehicle became submerged in high water caused by heavy rainfall on Monday, according to coroner’s office in Lancaster County.
Two people were killed by fallen trees after the storm caused strong winds. A 40-year-old man whom police have not yet named was killed in Windham, Maine, on Monday after a tree piece fell on him while he was on his roof trying to clear another part of the tree off his home, authorities said.
On the same day, an 89-year-old man, named as Robert Horky, died from severe head trauma in Massachusetts after a tree collapsed on a small travel trailer while he was inside, the local district attorney said.
The 89-year-old was rescued from the trailer but later died from his injuries.
Storm moves to Canada, but its impact will ‘linger,’ with snow in NY and Penn - NWS
12:25 , Martha Mchardy
The storm is now heading for Canada, but its impacts will “linger” on the East Coast, the National Weather Service has warned.
Parts of New York and Pennsylvania could see snow heading into Tuesday, as well as in the Great Lakes.
Up to a foot of snowfall could be seen in parts of northwestern New York and Ohio as well as central Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where winter storm warnings are in effect on Tuesday morning.
Areas around the Great Lakes are also forecast to receive up to seven inches, according to the weather service.
Meanwhile, the threat of flooding remains in areas with high river levels.
Flooding prompts school closures in several states
11:45 , Martha Mchardy
Flooding has prompted school closures in several states.
Schools were closed in Maine and New Hampshire, as well as Paterson, New Jersey, after a major storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the East Coast on Monday.
Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh declared an emergency on Monday afternoon, closing schools until further notice in the area.
He said the decision was made in anticipation of flooding from the rising Passaic River, saying he “expects the worst” of flooding to happen in the next 24 hours.
The Passaic is expected to crest around 12 feet on Tuesday afternoon, a potentially record-breaking level that could flood some adjacent roads, according to the National Weather Service.
Fully restoring power to Maine may take several days, warns Central Maine Power
11:30 , Martha Mchardy
Fully restoring power to residents in Maine may take several days, Central Maine Power has warned.
“A powerful storm caused extensive damage and power disruption to thousands of our customers today. Wind-speeds exceeded 60mph in several areas, causing widespread tree damage. As the storm exits our area, we anticipate a multi-day restoration effort involving hundreds of crews,” the utility company said on X.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 432,000 people in Maine are without power after a major storm ripped through the East Coast.
The storm caused four inches of rainfall across the region, resulting in flooding that killed two people. A further two people were killed by collapsing trees. The dangerous weather also left over 700,000 people without power.
ICYMI: Rescuers retrieved dozens of motorists stuck in flood waters this weekend
11:24 , Martha McHardy
Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina‘s waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said.
“It’s not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,” Broach said. “It’s areas that we’re not really expecting to have flooding issues...It’s like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December.”
More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday.
Latest pictures as major storm batters East Coast
11:10 , Martha Mchardy
Watch: Doorbell Camera Captures Possible Tornado In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
10:51 , Martha Mchardy
Hazardous winds have battered East Coast homes and drivers have been forced to abandon submerged cars.
A storm brought heavy rain and dangerous winds to the Carolinas as it moved up the East Coast on Sunday (17 December).
A tornado warning was briefly issued for parts of Horry County in South Carolina as an observed tornado moved through the Socastee/Forestbrook area.
This doorbell camera video shows a possible tornado moving through Arrowhead Country Club in Myrtle Beach.
South Carolina and other parts of the East Coast experienced severe flooding, which led to road closures and people abandoning their cars after getting stuck.
More than 600,000 across the northeast are without power
10:46 , Martha Mchardy
A major storm has left more than 620,000 homes and businesses on the East Coast without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remain in the dark as of Tuesday morning.
Four killed as dangerous floods pound New England
10:31 , Martha Mchardy
At least four people have died after dangerous flooding pounded New England.
A man in Pennsylvania and a woman in South Carolina – both in their 70s – died after their vehicles were submerged in high water, local officials reported. Two other deaths were reported in Maine and Massachusetts.
It comes after 58 million Americans were put under flood warnings yesterday amid a major storm on the East Coast.
The storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the region within a 24-hour period, triggering flooding that engulfed cars, trapped drivers on inundated roadways in New Jersey and Connecticut, and prompted water rescues in New Hampshire and Maine.
The severe weather also left more than 620,000 homes and businesses in the region without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remain in the dark as of Tuesday morning.
Although the storm has now moved into Canada, its impact will “linger,” according to the National Weather Service.
Parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as parts of the Great Lakes and Appalachians could see snow, while the threat of flooding remains in areas with high river levels.
ICYMI: Storm hit New York City amid a nearly two-year spell of no snow
09:00 , Katie Hawkinson
This week’s vicious storm hit New York City amid a nearly two-year stretch without recordable snow in the Big Apple.
New York City’s Central Park hasn’t seen more than one inch of snow in a single day in more than 22 months thanks to the La Nina and El Nino phenomenons, a National Weather Service meteorologist previously told The Independent.
With temperatures on Monday near 50 degrees and this week’s temperatures forecasted to stay above freezing during the day, it appears the streak may continue even with the heavy precipitation.
Maine temperatures expected to drop below freezing Tuesday night
07:24 , Katie Hawkinson
Temperatures in Maine are forecasted to drop below freezing Tuesday evening, less than a day after rain is expected to stop, meteorologist Derek Schroeter told The Independent.
Maine has seen the most power outages out of any state impacted by the dangerous storm that struck the northeast. Residents were warned to stay off the roads as heavy rain posed a flood risk to several areas.
As rainfall dwindles early Tuesday morning, temperatures are expected to stay above freezing, allowing for some drying, Mr Schroeter said.
However, Tuesday evening will bring freezing temperatures, potentially creating icy conditions and preventing drying.
ICYMI: Georgia, South Carolina beat rainfall records over the weekend.
05:03 , Katie Hawkinson
The Savannah International Airport in Savannah, Georgia recorded 3.16 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the previous record of 1.96 inches in 1880, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina.
The region beat an additional two records over the weekend. Downtown Charleston, South Carolina was hit by 3.86 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the 1923 record of just 1.18 inches. Meanwhile, the Charleston International Airport recorded 3.17 inches, more than three times the 1975 record of just .66 inches.
ICYMI: New York, Boston airports slammed by delays and cancellations on Monday
03:03 , Katie Hawkinson
Airports serving the New York City and Boston areas saw delays and cancellations as severe weather hit the northeastern United States on Monday.
Boston’s Logan International Airport cancelled more than 100 flights and delayed more than 150 due to severe weather, FlightAware reports. Meanwhile, New York’s LaGuardia Airport saw more than 80 flights cancelled and 66 delayed.
New York’s JFK International Airport bore than brunt of delays, with at least 25 per cent of flights running late on Monday, according to FlightAware.
Even as rain ends, threat of flooding persists: NWS
01:03 , Katie Hawkinson
The National Weather Service for the Boston region says flooding still remains a risk as rain eases Monday evening.
“Even as the rain comes to an end this evening, the threat for river flooding remains,” the organization wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Maine region faces threats of flooding through Monday night and early Tuesday morning as well, posing a risk to drivers on roads that may become washed out, meteorologist Derek Schroeter previously told The Independent.
Maine hit especially hard by “rare” extreme weather: meteorologist
Monday 18 December 2023 23:00 , Katie Hawkinson
A meterologist with the National Weather Service told The Independent this type of severe weather in December is unusual for the region.
“Well, this is certainly a very high impact fan for our area, and it's certainly not normal,” meteorologist Derek Schroeter told The Independent.
While a similar severe weather event occured last year on 23 December 2022, the hurricane strength winds and flooding that struck Maine on Monday morning aren’t typical for the state.
Maine is seeing the highest number of power outages during this storm — as of Monday afternoon, more than 380,000 Maine customers are without power, according to tracker PowerOutage.us.
New York City lifted city-wide flood watch
Monday 18 December 2023 20:46 , Katie Hawkinson
New York City is no longer under a city-wide flood watch as rainfall eases up in the region, according to emergency management officials.
Brooklyn, Staten Island and South Queens are still under a Coastal Flood Warning until 6pm local time. Meanwhile, Manhattan, Bronx and North Queens are under a lesser Coastal Flood Advisory until the same time.
Maine drivers should stay off roads as rare extreme weather continues: meteorologist
Monday 18 December 2023 19:58 , Katie Hawkinson
As Maine is hit with severe rain and winds, a meteorologist with the National Weath Service in Gray, Maine told The Independent one of the biggest concerns for residents is road safety.
Heavy rain is causing roads to become washed out and creating dangerous conditions for drivers, according to meteorologist Derek Schroeter.
“As we are losing daylight, the main concern here is people going out and traveling on roads, as we still will probably see some rises on area rivers through the middle of tonight,” Mr Schroeter said.
Temperatures will remain above freezing for the next 24 hours, Mr Schroeter said, allowing some drying as the rain is forecasted to end early Tuesday morning.
Heavy rain hits New York City amid a nearly two-year spell of no snow
Monday 18 December 2023 18:04 , Katie Hawkinson
This week’s vicious storm hitting New York City comes amid a nearly two-year stretch without recordable snow in the Big Apple.
New York City’s Central Park hasn’t seen more than one inch of snow in a single day in more than 22 months thanks to the La Nina and El Nino phenomenons, a National Weather Service meteorologist previously told The Independent.
With temperatures on Monday near 50 degrees and this week’s temperatures forecasted to stay above freezing during the day, it appears the streak may continue even with the heavy precipitation.
More than 700,000 across the northeast are without power as of Monday afternoon, power outages tracker reports
Monday 18 December 2023 17:26 , Katie Hawkinson
At least 700,000 customers from Pennsylvania to Maine are without power as of Monday afternoon, tracker PowerOutage.us reports.
Leading the outages are Massachusetts and Maine, both of which have more than 200,000 customers without power, the tracker shows. The National Weather Service for Boston confirmed that 260,000 customers are experiencing power outages as of noon local time.
Maine state offices close as officials predict more power outages
Monday 18 December 2023 17:04 , Katie Hawkinson
All State of Maine offices will close at 1pm local time on Monday due to extreme weather, according to an announcement from Governor Janet Mills.
“With the storm expected to grow stronger in the coming hours, I encourage all Maine people to be safe and vigilant and to exercise caution when traveling,” Ms Mills wrote in her statement.
Maine’s utility companies also expect continued power outages throughout the day for residents.
Reports of power outages in Maine drop
Monday 18 December 2023 16:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Estimates for Maine power outages have dropped to 30,000 less than an hour after tracker PowerOutage.us reported 100,000 outages in the state.
Warnings for powerful, damaging winds in the state for the next 12 hours are still active, per the NWS.
Maine hits 100,000 without power as high winds expected to cause more damage
Monday 18 December 2023 16:11 , Katie Hawkinson
Maine hit 100,000 customers without power late Monday morning, tracker PowerOutage.us reports.
Damaging winds will continue through early Tuesday morning. Several inland counties should expect damaging winds that will down trees and power lines, according to the National Weather Service for Gray, Maine.
Meteorologists also say coastal residents should prepare for “hurricane force wind” through 1am on Tuesday. The NWS warned that vessels may also capsize or suffer damage due to the dangerous conditions.
Rain expected to ease up this afternoon in New York City
Monday 18 December 2023 15:41 , Katie Hawkinson
Rainfall is expected to ease around 1pm local time in New York City, the National Weather Service for New York City reports.
The current temperature sits around 59 deegrees, which is unseasonally high for the region. Average December temperatures in the Big Apple range from the low 40s to the high 30s, according to the NWS.
Temperatures are expected to drop to 50 degrees Monday afternoon and reach 39 degrees by the evening, the NWS forecasts.
Northeast hits estimated 400,000 customers without power
Monday 18 December 2023 15:08 , Katie Hawkinson
In Massachusetts alone, more than 110,000 electric customers are without power as a powerful storm pushes through the northeast, according to the tracker PowerOutage.us.
That brings the total of those without power in the northeast to more than 400,000. The number of people impacted appears to have doubled in just two hours — an estimated 200,000 customers were without power at approximately 8am local time on Monday.
New York, Boston airports hit by delays and cancellations amid holiday travel
Monday 18 December 2023 14:47 , Katie Hawkinson
Airports serving the New York City and Boston areas are seeing delays and cancellations as severe weather continues to hit the northeastern United States.
LaGuardia Airport is first in the country for cancelled flights as of Monday morning, with at least 81 flights cancelled and 38 delayed, FlightAware reports.
Boston’s Logan International Airport is a close second, with 68 cancelled and 53 delayed. The delays are averaging one hour and 45 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Meanwhile, New York’s JFK International Airport is leading the country in delays as of Monday morning, with 72 delayed flights and 33 cancellations.
Georgia beat 143-year-old rainfall record over the weekend
Monday 18 December 2023 14:25 , Katie Hawkinson
The Savannah International Airport in Savannah, Georgia recorded 3.16 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the record of 1.96 inches in 1880, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina.
The region beat an additional two records over the weekend. Downtown Charleston, South Carolina was hit by 3.86 inches of rainfall on Sunday, beating the 1923 record of just 1.18 inches. Meanwhile, the Charleston International Airport recorded 3.17 inches, more than three times the 1975 record of just .66 inches.
Rhode Island coastal levels may hit a 32-year high
Monday 18 December 2023 14:09 , Katie Hawkinson
Thanks to heavy rain, parts of Rhode Island might see their highest coastal levels in three decades, meteorologists say.
Water levels at Fox Point in Providence, Rhode Island are expected to approach 10 feet, according to the National Weather Service Boston. The last time water levels hit that point was during Hurricane Bob in 1991.
Meanwhile, cities across the northeast are preparing for similar spikes in coastal levels and potential flooding as heavy rain continues to beat down.
Watch: Massive storm system drenches East Coast threatening travel impacts
Monday 18 December 2023 14:00 , Martha Mchardy
Almost 200,000 still without power as storm batters through dozens of states
Monday 18 December 2023 13:30 , Martha Mchardy
The storm left hundreds of thousands of people without power on Saturday and Sunday, with almost 200,000 people still without electricity in states including Virginia, New Jersey and New York as of Monday morning, according to the tracker PowerOutage.us.
The storm began trekking up the coast on Saturday, sweeping through much of Florida, before moving along the Southeastern coast on Sunday.
It is now moving along the East coast.
Latest pictures as more than a dozen states issued with flood warnings
Monday 18 December 2023 13:00 , Martha Mchardy
Effects of storm will ‘likely linger’ past Monday, says weather service
Monday 18 December 2023 12:35 , Martha Mchardy
The storm system will start to push away from the Northeast later on Monday evening, but its effects will likely linger, the weather service said.
“Even though the big storm will begin to depart the Northeast Monday evening, the huge circulation of the storm will overspread the entire eastern U.S. with very blustery conditions,” the weather service said.
Monday 18 December 2023 12:00 , Martha Mchardy
An intense late-year storm barreled up the East Coast on Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds that shattered rainfall records, forced water rescues from flooded streets and washed out holiday celebrations.
Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina‘s waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said. More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday.
“It’s not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,” Broach said. “It’s areas that we’re not really expecting to have flooding issues...It’s like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December.”
Storm drenches Florida and causes floods in South Carolina as it moves up East Coast
58 million Americans under flood watches
Monday 18 December 2023 11:26 , Martha Mchardy
More than a dozen states, including New Jersey and Connecticut, are under flood warnings with heavy rain and strong winds moving in.
The flood warnings affect 58 million people.
Mayor Eric Adams warns New Yorkers to ‘be alert’ as heavy rain expected to hit city
Monday 18 December 2023 11:18 , Martha Mchardy
“With significant rainfall and high winds predicted for this Sunday into Monday, we want to remind New Yorkers to be alert, keep checking the forecast, and stay prepared,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a press release.
“If you have loose things outside, now is a good time to secure them, before the winds start. People in low-lying and poor drainage areas should take extra precautions.”
New York braces for major storm with millions across US under flood watches
Monday 18 December 2023 11:11 , Martha Mchardy
New York is bracing for a major storm with 58 million people currently under flood watches in the East Coast just as holiday travel plans get under way.
Around one foot of inundation is expected in New York on Monday as more than a dozen states, including New Jersey and Connecticut, are under flood warnings with heavy rain and strong winds moving in.
The National Weather Service has warned that strong gusts of wind may make travel particularly difficult in parts of southern Connecticut, southeastern New York and Boston.
The strong gusts may down trees and power lines, as well as damage or blow away outdoor holiday decorations in parts of the region, officials have warned.
The severe weather conditions have already affected traffic along the I-95 corridor, which has been at risk of delays from wind and rain throughout the weekend and into Monday.
South Carolina was hit hard with flooding rains on Saturday, while around 45 million people from eastern Georgia to the Northeast were also under high wind alerts late on Sunday.
