More than 70,000 customers lost electricity across the U.S. Northeast on September 26, 2026, as a powerful nor’easter brought gale-force winds and heavy coastal flooding. Major flooding affected New Jersey towns including Surf City and Manasquan, inundating roads and homes. Sea Bright saw flooding up to six feet and wind gusts reaching 50 mph. The National Weather Service warned of dangerous conditions over multiple high tide cycles along the Mid-Atlantic Coast through the weekend.
Flight Disruptions Focused at Boston Logan International Airport
Boston Logan International Airport experienced significant disruptions, with FlightAware reporting 39 flight cancellations and 12 delays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on September 26. This
outpaced New York’s JFK airport, which had 22 cancellations in the same timeframe. Airlines including JetBlue, United, and American Airlines waived change and cancellation fees for East Coast flights over the weekend.
Event Cancellations and Schedule Changes
The Boston Red Sox rescheduled their Sunday afternoon game against the Chicago Cubs to Friday, creating a split doubleheader. British singer Ed Sheeran canceled his concerts scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Gillette Stadium. These cancellations reflected widespread disruption to major cultural and sporting events in the region.
Official Warnings on Flooding and Wind
The National Weather Service advised immediate preparation for significant inundation in low-lying coastal areas including underwater roads and impacts to
homes and businesses. Mike Mangan, Mayor of Manasquan, described “a lot of water in the streets for a long time.” Mayor Brian Kelly of Sea Bright issued voluntary evacuations, opened a recreation center for evacuees, and warned this storm could approach Irene-scale flooding. NWS meteorologist Matthew Belk forecasted wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, with 50 to 55 mph near Boston, noting the risk of power outages was increased due to leaves still on trees.
Ferry Service Cancellations Impact Island Travel
Public ferry services between Cape Cod and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were widely canceled
due to strong winds and choppy waters. Block Island ferry service in Rhode Island was also suspended. The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority announced cancellations and cautioned travelers to have backup plans. Spokesperson Sean Driscoll stated that travelers are accustomed to these disruptions during storm events.
The combination of flight cancellations, ferry service suspensions, power outages affecting over 70,000 customers, and event postponements underscored the broad impact of the nor’easter across the U.S. Northeast on September 26, 2026.
