Nor’easter Chaos Slams Jersey Shore

New Jersey declared a state of emergency for eight counties as a nor’easter knocked out power for tens of thousands and flooded shore roads.

Story Highlights

The governor’s order named eight counties and took effect Friday evening.
Officials warned of strong winds, heavy rain, and significant coastal flooding.
Outages topped twenty thousand by Saturday morning, led by JCP&L customers.
Reporters documented street flooding and water rescues in shore towns.

Emergency Order Targets High-Risk Shore Counties

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency for Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem counties. The order took effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, to move crews and resources before the worst tides. The declaration listed the counties most likely to see flooding, beach erosion, and outages from the slow-moving nor’easter. The order enabled faster aid, traffic control, and debris removal as conditions worsened overnight.

State messaging ahead of landfall warned of strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf. Officials said the most severe impacts would begin Friday night and last through Sunday. Forecasts highlighted a coastal flood threat driven by onshore winds and repeated high tides. The full moon raised normal tide levels, which can push water higher into bays and streets. Media briefings and live updates urged residents to avoid flooded roads and to expect scattered power interruptions.

Power Outages Climb As Winds and Tides Peak

Utility dashboards and local outlets showed outages rising across multiple service areas on Friday night and into Saturday morning. Patch reported more than 21,000 customers without power by late Saturday morning. It noted that Jersey Central Power & Light had 21,259 customers out, while Public Service Electric & Gas and Atlantic City Electric had smaller but notable impacts. Counts shifted during the day as crews restored lines and new outages appeared with each wind burst.

Earlier coverage captured the trend as the storm intensified. News 12 said utility companies reported thousands without power by 10 p.m. Friday as gusts increased and saturated ground weakened tree roots. Later national roundups echoed the rise in blackouts across New Jersey and neighboring states. The moving outage totals reflected the storm’s slow pace and repeated wind events near each high tide, which complicated steady restoration work overnight.

Coastal Flooding Swamps Streets And Traps Drivers

Reporters along the Jersey Shore documented water over roads, flooded parking lots, and rescues in several towns. In Seabright, video showed a lot and nearby street under water, with at least one car stranded. Firefighters there pulled a woman and her dog from a flooded vehicle. Other crews tracked water in Manasquan and on Long Beach Island, where ocean waves and back-bay flooding squeezed the barrier island from both sides during peak tides.

US Nor Easter Live updates via New York Times: High winds and exceptionally high tides 🌊caused flooding ⚠️in low-lying areas along Jersey Shore and in some coastal parts of NYC🗽, submerging streets, cars and first floors of some buildings. https://t.co/PagvTDyUrU #climate #News pic.twitter.com/P6CHGQ2usR

— EnviroEdgeNews (@EnviroEdgeNews) September 26, 2026

Live updates from shore communities described flooding in Atlantic City and nearby back bays as winds piled water inland. Those scenes matched the forecast setup: persistent onshore flow, elevated tides from the full moon, and a slow storm that kept pressing water into low spots. While some reports said flooding was moderate in places, the pattern repeated with each tide cycle, making travel risky and slowing cleanup between rounds of water.

Why This Keeps Happening On The Jersey Shore

New Jersey emergency plans list nor’easters as a recurring hazard that brings coastal flooding, beach erosion, and outages. Past events show how tide timing and storm duration shape damage. A full moon can raise water levels enough to tip streets into flood stage. When strong winds last across several tide cycles, bays do not drain fully before the next high tide. That back-to-back effect boosts nuisance floods into road closures and forces first responders into swift rescues.

What Residents Should Watch Next

County and municipal agencies will assess road damage, dune losses, and flooded homes once waters drop. Utilities will release updated restoration timelines as wind advisories ease and access improves. State officials may seek federal help if damage meets aid thresholds. For now, authorities urge drivers to avoid flooded roads, watch for downed lines, and check local alerts for bridge restrictions during remaining high tides. Storm watchers expect lingering hazards until the wind pattern relaxes.