CONCORD, N.H. – The Northeast was hit with a major storm that brought drenching rain and fierce winds, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in its wake. The storm, which began Tuesday night and moved out Wednesday, caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages throughout the region.
The violent weather followed a day of tornadoes and deadly accidents in the South, as well as blizzards in the Midwest and Northwest. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm, with flooding and rising rivers affecting many areas. In New York City, train lines were out of service and a highway in the Bronx was flooded, disrupting the morning commute for thousands of people.
In Maine, the storm delayed the opening of all state offices until noon, as snow turned into rain in parts of New England. High tide brought coastal flooding to Long Island, leading to school closures and transportation disruptions.
The storm also impacted areas still recovering from a recent nor’easter that dumped over a foot of snow in some parts of the Northeast. Further west, in Danbury, Connecticut, the combination of snowmelt and overnight rain overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to flooded intersections and a dramatic rescue of a motorist from a vehicle.
The wild weather system also brought heavy rain, hail, and at least three reported tornadoes to the South before moving eastward. Several deaths have been attributed to the storms, with impacts including mobile home damage, fallen trees, and slushy highways.
The stormy conditions extended into the nation’s capital, forcing Vice President Kamala Harris’ aircraft to divert when it encountered wind shear. In Florida, flood watches, warnings, and advisories were in effect, prompting Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for 49 counties in North Florida.
The storm system also buried cities across the Midwest in snow, with some areas receiving up to a foot of accumulation. Forecasters warned of dangerously low temperatures due to wind chill, affecting Iowa’s precinct caucuses and prompting the closure of highways, ski resorts, and power outages in the Pacific Northwest.
By Wednesday morning, nearly 500,000 customers were without power in several states, including Maine, Vermont, New York, and North Carolina. Overall, the storm left a trail of destruction, with flooding, downed power lines, and property damage affecting communities across the U.S.