A powerful nor’easter hit the US Northeast again on Sunday. The storm flooded coastal communities and left more than 130,000 homes and businesses without power. Forecasters warned that another round of high tides could cause more flooding along vulnerable shorelines. The slow-moving storm brought heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf from New Jersey to New England. It also turned deadly on Saturday. A falling tree killed a New York City housing authority worker.

Storm to Linger for Another 24 Hours

The storm sat just south of Long Island and east of northern New Jersey on Sunday morning. Forecasters expected it to remain in the area for about another 24 hours. Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, said the storm was slowly weakening. The heaviest rain was expected across northern New Jersey, New York City, Long Island and southern New England. However, the threat of tidal flooding remained. High tides could cause flooding on Sunday morning and again in the evening. “The most impactful parts of the storm are likely going to be the high winds and the tidal flooding,” Oravec said.

Widespread Power Outages Reported

More than 130,000 customers across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic had lost power by Sunday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. The worst outages hit the New Jersey shore, Long Island and coastal parts of Connecticut. Strong winds knocked down trees across Long Island. The falling trees damaged homes and cars. They also blocked roads and brought down power lines. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said its response coordination centers in affected areas had moved to an “enhanced posture.” Emergency teams also remained on standby across New England. They prepared for possible widespread outages.

Flooding Hits New Jersey and New York

Floodwaters covered several streets in New Jersey and New York on Saturday. Some residents used kayaks to move through flooded streets. Others went to beaches to watch and surf the unusually high waves. Emergency crews in Sea Bright, New Jersey, rescued a woman and her dog. Their vehicle became trapped in floodwater. In Surf City, New Jersey, water entered a marina. Workers had already moved equipment to higher ground. Marina owner Kenny Formica said customers reported missing boats and Jet Skis. Some vessels had blown away or fallen from their lifts. Flooding also hit Norfolk, Virginia. Cars pushed water through several streets as they moved through the floodwaters.

Storm Disrupts Travel

The nor’easter also caused major travel problems across the region. Hundreds of flights were canceled at Boston Logan International Airport. Strong winds and heavy rain disrupted air travel. Flooding also blocked highway access to North Carolina’s Hatteras Island. The closure stranded visitors and disrupted travel plans. One couple had to find a new location for their wedding. Most of their roughly 45 guests could not reach the island.

Nor’easter Brings Back Sandy Memories

The storm reminded many people of Superstorm Sandy. Sandy caused more than $60 billion in damage across the eastern United States in 2012. The latest storm has caused far less damage so far. Still, forecasters warned that it could be the first of several storms to hit the East Coast this fall. An El Niño climate pattern has disrupted weather conditions this year. Forecasters said the pattern could contribute to unusual weather across the region. The current storm is gradually weakening. But strong winds, dangerous surf and tidal flooding remain threats along the coast.