A nor’easter churned its way up the East Coast on Sunday, washing out roads and prompting air travel delays as heavily populated areas of the Northeast experienced excessive rain, lashing winds and coastal flooding. Across the continent in western Alaska, the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought hurricane- force winds and catastrophic flooding to coastal communities where entire houses were pushed off their foundations.
The U.S. Coast Guard was headed to tiny Alaskan villages to respond to “reports of persons in distress," the state Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
Alaska governor says ‘help is on the way’
More than 170 people stayed overnight at a community shelter in Kipnuk, where the water level rose overnight 6.6 feet (2 meters) above the highest tide. At least 8 homes were washed away, the department said.
Roads and boardwalks were inundated and power lines were damaged in Bethel, Napaskiak, Napakiak, and other Yukon-Kuskokwim communities.
"Every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm. Help is on the way,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Water rescues along the East Coast
Floodwaters could rise from the Carolinas north to New Jersey, forecasters warned.
“The greatest effects are going to be the coastal flooding potential,” said meteorologist Bob Oravec with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
Heavy rain also was forecast for southeast New England, the New York City area, and some has fallen in coastal sections farther down the coast, Oravec said.
In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, an area that’s seen significant storm damage this season, ocean overwash was came across Highway 12 at a motel near Buxton, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office posted online Sunday. The office urged travelers to be cautious and put property owners on alert as high tide approached.
The waves were ferocious at the Hatteras Island town of Buxton, where a number of beachfront homes have fallen into the water in recent weeks. One house was losing its pilings Sunday and appeared close to collapsing.
“The waves are crashing really hard into the houses and the dunes, and it’s all eroding,” said Robert Splawn, who was watching on the beach.
Flooding was widespread down the coast in Georgetown County, South Carolina, where several motorists had to be rescued when rising waters inundated their cars, Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis told the Post and Courier on Sunday.
The weather service said parts of the county had received up to seven inches (18 centimeters) of rain.
Further south in Charleston, South Carolina, many streets downtown were closed because of flooding. Homeowner David Graubner spent the weekend pumping out his property, hoping to avoid a repeat of Friday, when the high tide brought nearly a foot (.3 meters) of water into his garage, where his new Corvette was parked.
"And I got all my toys in the garage and tools and stuff. So whatever helps. Even lowering the water by a few inches makes a difference,” Graubner told WCIV-TV.
There were several road closures in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as heavy rain overwhelmed that city’s stormwater system.
“Please be safe and stay home, if possible,” Myrtle Beach officials posted on Facebook.
Emergency declaration for New Jersey
All of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since Saturday night. It's expected to last into Monday, authorizing the state's emergency services personnel to be activated as necessary. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency Sunday because of the chance high ocean waves may push water into bays and waterways.
Parts of the state are forecast to experience moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 mph (97 kph), up to 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) of rain and high surf, potentially causing beach erosion. Some volunteers were putting sandbags at 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 see flooding, with up to 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) of rain and high winds, the weather service said.
Wind gusts of more than 30 mph (48 kph) were already being recorded in the region on Sunday morning.
Utilities in the area have added more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm.
“With high wind warnings and flood risks, staying alert, vigilant and taking steps to prepare is crucial for everyone's safety,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Some flight delays and cancellations were announced in airports from Washington, D.C. to Boston.
The storm was expected to move out by Monday night.
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Associated Press reporters Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; Julie Walker in New York City; Michael Hill in Albany, New York, and Jamie Stengle in Dallas, Texas, contributed to this story.