National

East Coast storm updates: Heavy rain, flash flooding, power outages hit Northeast

Written by ABC AUDIO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on December 18, 2023

(NEW YORK) — More than 250,000 customers are without power in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire on Monday as a powerful storm — which first slammed the South with heavy rain this weekend — barrels north.

Residents living along the Interstate 95 corridor can expect a dangerous commute Monday as heavy rain and strong winds hit the region. Eleven states from Maryland to Maine are under flood watches.

A flood advisory was issued in New York City, where residents are facing power outages, downed trees and flooded roads.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory, urging New Yorkers to stay off the roads and take mass transit.

A travel advisory is still in effect for New York City.

Please exercise caution with your morning commute.

Take mass transit and stay off the roads if possible.

Continue to follow @notifynyc for updates. https://t.co/SWfIcQXkri

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) December 18, 2023

High wind alerts were also issued from North Carolina to Maine, with wind gusts forecast to be as high as 60 mph. Winds have already gusted to 66 mph in Stamford, Connecticut.

By Monday afternoon, the rain will stop in New York City and will be lingering in New England.

The storm first brought rain to Florida and record-breaking flooding to South Carolina this weekend.

More than 16 inches of rain fell between Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina, flooding neighborhoods and stalling cars. A few areas received about 6 inches of rain in six hours.

Charleston measured its highest “non-tropical” tide on record, and its fourth-highest tide overall, when accounting for those that occurred amid tropical systems.