Northeast winds moved up the East Coast on Sunday, washing out roads and causing flight delays as densely populated areas of the Northeast braced for heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding.
“The biggest impacts will be potential coastal flooding, especially for areas from northeastern North Carolina north to much of the New Jersey coast,” said meteorologist Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
Heavy rain was also forecast for southeastern New England in the New York City area, with some falling in coastal areas further down the coast, Oravec said.
In North Carolina's Outer Banks, an area hit hard by storms this season, ocean waves began crossing Highway 12 at a motel near Buxton, the Dare County Sheriff's Office said Sunday. The office urged travelers to be careful and alert property owners as high tide approaches.
The waves were fierce in the town of Buxton on Hatteras Island, where several beachfront homes have fallen into the water in recent weeks. On Sunday, one house lost its pilings and appeared close to collapse.
“The waves are crashing really hard against the houses and the dunes and it's all being destroyed,” said Robert Splown, who was watching the action on the beach.
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, several roads were closed after heavy rain destroyed the city's storm drainage system.
“Please be careful and stay home if possible,” Myrtle Beach officials posted on Facebook.
As of Saturday evening, a state of emergency has been declared throughout New Jersey. It is expected to last through Monday, allowing the state's emergency personnel to be activated if necessary. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency Sunday due to the possibility that high ocean waves could push water into bays and waterways.
Parts of the state are forecast to experience moderate to severe coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, wind speeds of up to 60 mph (97 kph), rainfall of up to 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) and high surf, potentially causing beach erosion. Some volunteers placed sandbags on the beaches.
The National Weather Service placed New York City, Long Island and southern Westchester County under a coastal flood warning and a wind warning until at least Monday afternoon. Coastal areas of the Long Island metropolitan area could experience flooding, with up to 3 inches of rain and strong winds, the weather service said.
Wind gusts of more than 30 mph (48 kph) were already reported across the region Sunday morning.
Utilities in the area deployed more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm.
“With warnings of high winds and flood risks, remaining vigilant, vigilant and taking steps to prepare is critical to everyone's safety,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Some flight delays and cancellations were announced at airports from Washington to Boston.
The storm was expected to subside by Monday evening.
Also on Sunday, high wind warnings remained in effect for parts of Alaska as the remnants of Typhoon Halong continued to move up the state's west coast. The storm was moving further east than previously forecast, pushing the strongest winds inland and reducing the risk of record high water levels in Norton Sound, according to the National Weather Service.
Associated Press reporters Julie Walker and Michael Hill contributed to this story.
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