Northeast approach triggers state of emergency in New Jersey

A northeast moved up the East Coast on Sunday, destroying roads and causing air travel delays as densely populated areas of the Northeast braced for excessive rain, strong winds and coastal flooding.

“The greatest effects will be the potential for coastal flooding, particularly in areas from northeastern North Carolina to much of the Jersey Shore,” said meteorologist Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Heavy rain was also forecast in southeastern New England and the New York area, and some fell in coastal areas further down the coast, Oravec said.

In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, an area that has suffered significant storm damage this season, ocean overflow was beginning to cross Highway 12 at a motel near Buxton, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday. The bureau urged travelers to be careful and put homeowners on alert as high tide approached.

There were several road closures in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as heavy rains overwhelmed the city’s stormwater drainage system.

‘Please be safe and stay home, if possible,’ Myrtle Beach officials posted on Facebook.

Since Saturday evening, all of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency. It is expected to last until Monday, allowing state emergency services personnel to be activated if necessary. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency Sunday because of the risk of high ocean waves pushing water into bays and streams.

Parts of the state are expected to experience moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 mph (97 km/h), up to 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) of rain 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 wind advisory through at least Monday afternoon. Coastal areas of suburban Long Island could experience flooding, with up to 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) of rain and strong winds expected, the weather service said.

Wind gusts of more than 30 mph (48 km/h) were already recorded in the region on Sunday morning.

Area utilities added more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm.

“With warnings of high winds and the risk of flooding, remaining vigilant, remaining vigilant and taking preparedness measures is crucial to everyone’s safety,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

Some flight delays and cancellations have been announced at airports from Washington, DC to Boston.

The storm is expected to move away by Monday evening.

Also Sunday, high wind warnings remained in effect in parts of Alaska as the remnants of Typhoon Halong continued to move up the state’s west coast. The storm was tracking farther east than previously forecast, pushing the strongest winds inland and reducing the risk of record water levels in Norton Sound, according to the National Weather Service.

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Associated Press journalists Julie Walker and Michael Hill contributed to this story.