A nor’easter storm swept across the US Northeast on September 26, 2026, causing over 400 flight cancellations and leaving more than 100,000 utility customers without power at the storm’s peak.
Flight tracking data showed Boston Logan International Airport experienced 39 cancellations and 12 delays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on September 26. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York reported 22 cancellations during the same period. Airlines including JetBlue, United Airlines, and American Airlines issued travel waivers allowing passengers to change flights without fees amid widespread disruptions.
Flight Disruptions Across Northeast Airports
Overall, 425 flights were canceled and 1,338 delayed across Northeast airports
on September 26. Boston Logan was among the hardest hit with heavy cancellations and delays affecting thousands of passengers. Airlines waived change and cancellation fees to accommodate disruption through the weekend.
The storm brought gale-force northeasterly winds, heavy rainfall, and major coastal flooding threats. The National Weather Service warned of flooding over multiple high tide cycles through the weekend, urging residents to prepare for inundation in low-lying coastal areas.
Power Outages and Weather Warnings
Power outages affected more than 100,000 customers at peak, with 88,000 still without power as of 1:07 p.m. ET on September 26. Utilities including PSEG Long Island reported over 13,300 affected
customers but restored power to more than 34,600 since Friday morning.
Wind gusts reached 60-65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, 50-55 mph around Boston, and 35-40 mph inland. These conditions increased risks of downed trees and power lines, especially with leaves still on trees raising wind resistance.
The National Weather Service stated, “This storm is expected to bring major coastal flooding to the Mid-Atlantic Coast over multiple high tide cycles through the weekend,” and warned residents to prepare immediately for significant inundation near the shore.
New Jersey Coastal Flooding and Emergency Declarations
New Jersey was severely impacted by flooding, with up to six feet
of water expected on some streets in Sea Bright. Mayor Mike Kelly said, “It’s going to be worse than average. We do have probably one or two flooding events a year… but I think this one will be closer to an Irene-scale flooding event.” Voluntary evacuations were issued in low-lying areas of Surf City and Manasquan, where flooding caused road inundations.
Governors of New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency in counties expected to be worst affected. Connecticut activated its Emergency Operations Center as part of the regional response.
Event Cancellations and Ferry Service Disruption
Several major events were canceled due to the storm.
Ed Sheeran’s Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, were canceled. The Boston Red Sox adjusted their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs by moving the Sunday game to Friday, creating a split doubleheader.
Ferry services connecting Cape Cod with Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were widely canceled starting Friday and continuing Saturday due to strong winds. The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority spokesman Sean Driscoll described the cancellations as a “nuisance” but noted that travelers are accustomed to having backup plans in place. Ferries to Block Island, Rhode Island, were similarly suspended.
Global Citizen
canceled its New York event for the first time in 14 years, citing safety concerns amid the storm. Organizers said, “Safety has to come first. This is the first time in 14 years we’ve had to cancel.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents during the storm to avoid travel if possible, warning of dangerous wind gusts and downed power lines.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, “The rain is under way… Mark my words. Much more is coming,” underscoring ongoing severe weather conditions across the region.
