Nor’easter could bring damaging winds, flooding to East Coast

NewsThis Sept. 2026 file photo shows Sea Bright, N.J., between the Atlantic Ocean and the Shrewsbury River, following a powerful nor'easter that caused coastal flooding and beach erosion. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)AP Photo/Ted ShaffreyBy Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.comA strengthening nor’easter could bring damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding to parts of the East Coast this week.NBC reports the storm is churning hundreds of miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, but its impacts could still be felt along the U.S. coast with strong onshore winds and flooding. Most of the rain is expected to remain offshore, though Cape Cod and Nantucket could see particularly wet conditions Thursday.Flood advisories stretch from the Jersey Shore to the Outer Banks, including coastal areas of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey, according to the National Weather Service. North Carolina is also under high surf advisories, with waves potentially reaching 14 feet.The system could produce rip currents, beach erosion and tropical storm-strength winds Wednesday and Thursday. WITN reports rough seas have already damaged about 800 feet of Highway 12 near North Carolina’s Pea Island Visitor Center.The storm could potentially receive a name. The Weather Channel reports the U.S. National Hurricane Center is watching the system for possible subtropical development. If named, it would become Josephine, potentially the 10th storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.“Regardless of whether we call this system a nor’easter or Josephine, the impacts will be the same,” The Weather Channel said.Nor’easters are large and intense low-pressure systems that typically form off the East Coast during late fall, winter and early spring. Named for the powerful northeast winds they can generate along the Atlantic Coast, the storms are capable of producing heavy rain or snow. Another powerful nor’easter caused at least one death last month.Meanwhile, the western U.S. is facing a separate threat of heavy rain and flooding. According to NBC, a Pacific storm has triggered a flash flood risk from Southern California to the Rockies. About 6 million Arizona residents are under a flood watch, while Southern California and portions of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah face a flood threat.Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert is a Reporter and Content Supervisor for Advance Local. He covers a wide range of topics including entertainment, national news and trending topics, plus specializes in search engine...