Severe storm lashes US East Coast, causing power outages, travel chaos and a fatal tree fall
A powerful storm swept the Northeastern United States, triggering widespread blackouts, flight cancellations and the death of a 56-year-old housing authority employee struck by a falling tree.
A violent storm moved across the US Northeast, delivering intense rain and gusts exceeding 80 kilometres per hour, which forced power utilities to cut service to tens of thousands of customers. Governor Kathy Hochul declared an emergency for several coastal counties and warned residents against approaching the sea due to dangerous surf and flooding. In New York City, authorities recorded more than 640 reports of trees toppled or damaged, and a 56-year-old employee of the city’s housing authority was killed when a tree fell on him.
The storm also disrupted air travel, with Boston’s Logan Airport canceling more than 250 flights on Saturday morning. Several weekend events were canceled, notably the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park and two Ed Sheeran concerts scheduled near Boston.
Why it matters
The storm’s widespread power loss, travel disruptions and fatality highlight the vulnerability of infrastructure and public safety on the US East Coast.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 Hurricane Polo intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast, endangering resort areas
- Sep 21 A developing nor'easter could bring heavy rain, gusty winds, high surf and coastal flooding from North Carolina to New England later this week.
- Sep 23 Polo intensified to Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph.
- Sep 24 Authorities opened shelters and deployed thousands of military and Red Cross personnel to assist affected communities.
- Sep 25 A powerful nor'easter is set to hit the East Coast this weekend, delivering gusts up to 65 mph, coastal flooding and heavy rain, especially around Cape Cod and nearby islands.
- Sep 26 Computer models now place the storm closer to the New Jersey shoreline, extending flood warnings.
- Sep 26 Surf City marina reported a 25‑foot vessel swept away and Edgewater parking lot partially submerged.
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