Christmas travel is under threat for millions as fierce storms roar up the East Coast: New York City is hit with wind gusts of up to 55mph and power is out to thousands as heavy rain rips through states and thousands warned to stay at home

Christmas travel is under threat for millions of Americans as fierce storms roar up the East Coast, with thousands warned to stay home as heavy rains and winds rip through the area.

Hundreds of flights in and out of Boston and New York City were cancelled on Monday morning with hundreds more delayed.

New England is set to see the heaviest rains and windfall on Monday- up to five inches of rain in some parts of the region.

Over 245,000 power outages have been reported from Pennsylvania to New York to New England, with numerous reports of trees falling on power lines. Meanwhile about 58million are under flood watches from North Carolina to Maine, including in cities like Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Virginia Beach. 

New York City is on flood watch with millions expected to see their commutes affected as wind gusts reach up to 55mph and two to four inches of rain are forecast. New Yorkers could find themselves ankles-deep in floodwaters in the city’s low-lying areas as around 1 foot of inundation is expected.

TRI-STATE AREA 

As many as 157 coming to and from LaGuardia airport in New York City have been cancelled, and another 60 at John F Kennedy, according to FlightAware. Many school districts canceled or delayed classes because of the conditions. Commuter rail systems were reporting delays.

NYC officials have warned people to limit travel and The Verrazzano Bridge has been closed in both directions. 

In New Jersey, mote than 40,000 are reportedly without power. Several motorists had to be rescued in Newark due to street flooding, with first-responders pulling them from their vehicles to safety.

The flood watch in NYC and a coastal warning effect in southern Queens will remain in effect until 6pm EST.

High-wind advisories are in place in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, with a high-wind watch in effect for Brooklyn and Queens.

New York Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory for Sunday and Monday. ‘We will get through this storm, but preparation is the key,’ New York Mayor Eric Adams said on Sunday. 

‘As the forecast for this evening’s weather intensifies, our city agencies are hard at work, making sure we can handle anything the storm throws at us,’ Adams said on Sunday. 

‘But we need your help, too. Before the storm starts, secure any loose outdoors items, clear your catch basins if it’s safe, and if you live in a low-lying or poor drainage area, make sure you have a plan for if it floods.’

He added: ‘Once the storm starts, stay off the roads, so our emergency vehicles can get wherever they need to go. If you have to go out, use mass transit. And sign up for Notify NYC, to make sure you have the most up-to-date information you need to stay safe.’ 

The weather service said there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Monday morning, with the potential for flash flooding. Northern New England is expected to get the heaviest rain Monday through Tuesday morning. 

NEW ENGLAND 

New England alone has reported over 180,000 power outages on Monday morning and a high-wind warning is in effect for the majority of eastern Massachusetts, as reported by the Boston Globe.

Norfolk County was the most affected by the outages, which were also reported in Essex, Middlesex, Hampden, Bristol and Plymouth.

There are over 23,000 power outages in Rhode Island, 98,000 in Massachusetts, 46,000 in Maine and 41,000 in New Hampshire.

Utility company Eversource said: ‘Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to clear tree damage caused by the powerful winds whipping across the state,. As the storm continues to cause damage, remember to stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911—and be sure to report any outages.’

A high-wind warning will be in effect until 7pm EST – with expected winds of 25 to 20mph and gusts as strong as 60mph.

Coastal flooding is also expected at noon today during high tide.

At Logan Airport in Boston, over 130 flights have been cancelled due to high winds in the area.

Meanwhile in Rhode Island, winds reached 60mph Monday morning, prompting some schools to close for the day.

The Narragansett Bay could reach its highest level since 1991 this afternoon, The New York Times reported. 

In  Connecticut, over 81,000 customers were without power as of 8am.

STORM PASSED THROUGH THE SOUTH 

The weather system already plummeted Florida and brought flash flooding in South Carolina before moving north.

The 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 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.’

The storm was forecast to gain strength as it tracked along the Georgia and Carolina coasts, producing heavy rain and gusty winds before sweeping into New England by Monday morning, the weather service said. Wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph could bring down trees, especially on saturated ground.

There were numerous road closures in Charleston and across South Carolina’s Lowcountry, while stranded cars littered streets.

There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, Broach said.

Gusty winds were strong enough to topple some signs and trees. Outdoor holiday decorations were tossed about, she said.

A Tornado Watch was in effect for parts of eastern North Carolina until 8 p.m. EST on Sunday evening. 

The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly posted on X: ‘The worst of the rain and winds will overspread the region over the next several hours. The heavy rain will taper off after sunrise Monday, but roads will still be wet, making travel difficult.’

The National Weather Service also posted: ‘Showers and storms continue to impact the east coast. Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to small stream, urban and flash flooding. There is also potential for strong to severe thunderstorms.’

Saturday was stormy across most of Florida, forcing outdoor holiday parties to be cancelled. Outside decorations that aren’t battened down were likely to blow away.

The mass of wind and rain is expected to head up the east coast just in time for the start of the holiday travel season.

‘Saturday is a complete washout as this disturbance moves over,’ said George Rizzuto, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Miami. 

‘The northern part of Florida will be at risk for some pretty heavy rainfall through the entire day.’

U​niversal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay waterpark shut down for the day due to the weather. 

Holiday events across the state were canceled, such as the Christmas boat parade in Indian Rocks Beach along the Gulf Coast. ‘See you next year,’ the town website said. 

At least five boat parades were canceled or postponed in South Florida, including the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale.

Several outdoor holiday events were canceled, from South Florida up into the rest of the peninsula. That included Saturday’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade and at least four other similar events across the region, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

‘The safety and well-being of our participants and spectators are of utmost importance to us,’ Winterfest organizers said on their website. ‘The inclement weather conditions, beyond our control, make it impossible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.’

Rizzuto said winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected across much of the coastline, with gusts up to 45 mph.

Gale warnings were issued along the coast with Rizzuto advising boaters to take extra precaution.

‘Out there over the water, you can expect some pretty rough seas with some wave heights around 12 to 15 feet,’ he said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday activated the new Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer organization created last year, to assist with any storm impacts from such things as flooding and high winds.

‘The Florida State Guard plays an essential role in Florida’s preparation for and swift response to severe weather,’ the Republican governor explained.

Beachgoers in Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, were being encouraged not to get into the water at all. 

If they did, they should enter the water near a lifeguard tower and not get beyond waist deep, Volusia County officials said in a warning.

As an extra precaution, county workers removed trash cans and portable restrooms from the beach.

In Hollywood, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, city officials warned residents to be mindful of floods. 

The area has had significant rainfall over the past two months and some low-lying neighborhoods tend to flood in heavy rain.

Further up the coast in Volusia County, Emergency Management Director Jim Judge urged local residents to make sure Christmas decorations were secured for the storm on Saturday.

‘Just take the normal precautions you would have with a tropical storm, and even though we’re not looking at anything near that way, if you take those precautions, then you’ll be able to weather this event,’ Judge said.