A powerful nor’easter has prompted a state of emergency in New York and New Jersey, causing significant disruptions across the region. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the emergency on Sunday in advance of the brunt of the storm, affecting New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, due to the storm’s severe winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. The declaration led to the cancellation of the 81st Annual Columbus Day Parade in New York City, which will not be rescheduled this year.
The storm has already caused widespread damage, with flooded streets reported in Freeport, Long Island, and nearly 40,000 power outages across four states, including Connecticut and New Jersey. In New Jersey, acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a statewide emergency, impacting all 21 counties.
The storm has also disrupted transportation, with NJ Transit scaling back bus and rail services and implementing systemwide cross-honoring. In New York, crews worked overnight to clear fallen trees from train tracks and roads, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency due to the threat of high ocean waves…