Why the nor'easter’s storm surge was so high, and what it says about the El Niño winter ahead

Several factors make for high water levels, and they conspired to worsen the storm surge that flooded coastal areas from North Carolina to New York.

By: Brian Tang, University at Albany, State University of New York, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 30, 2026

Words: 957

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

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By Brian Tang, University at Albany, State University of New York

As a powerful nor’easter hit the U.S. Atlantic Coast in late September 2026, the ocean poured into coastal neighborhoods from North Carolina to New York. Water from the storm surge and heavy rain filled streets and surrounded homes as near-hurricane-force winds knocked out power. It may have even uncovered a shipwreck more than a century old.

Atlantic City, New Jersey, saw its highest …

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