East Coast Braces for a Wild Weekend Storm

A powerful storm, called a nor'easter, is brewing off the Southeast coast and is set to bring a lot of trouble to the East Coast this weekend. This isn't your typical winter snowstorm—it's a year-round troublemaker that loves to dump heavy rain and whip up strong winds. Climate change is making these storms even more intense, so this one could be a real doozy.

Storm Strengthens as It Moves North

The storm is expected to strengthen as it moves north, bringing a dangerous mix of heavy rain, strong winds, and major coastal flooding. This could mean big problems for major cities like Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston, with flights likely delayed or canceled by Monday. New Jersey is taking this seriously, declaring a state of emergency starting Saturday night. Officials are urging people to stay off the roads unless it's absolutely necessary.

Storm's Impact Already Felt in the Southeast

This storm has already made its presence known, pushing tides higher than usual in parts of the Southeast. In Charleston, South Carolina, officials opened up free parking garages and told people in low-lying areas to move their cars as water started flooding the streets.

Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected

Up to six inches of rain could fall near the North Carolina coast this weekend, along with winds gusting up to 45 mph. The storm will also worsen ongoing beach erosion in the Outer Banks, where several empty homes have already collapsed into the ocean due to recent storms.

Further north, the storm will bring a few inches of rain to the mid-Atlantic coast and southern New England, with the potential for flash flooding in some areas. Strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph, will accompany the rain, making it feel like a tropical storm even though it's not one. Power outages are possible, especially in coastal areas, and even inland areas will feel the wind's impact.

Coastal Flooding: The Most Serious Threat

The most serious threat from this storm is coastal flooding. From North Carolina to New York, dozens of coastal spots could see moderate to major flooding. In Delaware and New Jersey, some roads may become impassable, and structures could flood. Water levels in Atlantic City, New Jersey, could rise above 8 feet, triggering widespread road flooding and potentially cutting off some neighborhoods.

Brief Break Before More Warm Weather

After the storm moves away on Monday into Tuesday, the East Coast might get a brief break from the bad weather. But don't get too comfortable—another round of unseasonably warm weather is expected later next week.