More than 400 flights were cancelled and 3,000 delayed across the United States on September 27-28, 2026, as a powerful nor’easter battered the East Coast, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a ground stop for all flights headed to Boston Logan International Airport due to strong winds.
The storm generated heavy rainfall, flooding, and sustained high winds that created unsafe conditions for aviation operations, particularly at Logan Airport where flight disruptions were expected to continue into Monday, September 28. FlightAware reported nearly 430 flight cancellations nationwide linked to the nor’easter’s impact.
Flight Disruptions Worsen Travel Logistics at Logan Airport
Travelers at Logan Airport faced extensive delays
and difficulties rescheduling flights. Cheryl Draves, an athletic director and cheer coach stranded with a high school team, described spending six hours at the airport trying to organize alternate flights after their scheduled departure to Orlando, Florida was cancelled. The team was expected to remain away from home until Monday or Tuesday due to ongoing cancellations.
Boston-based traveler Daryl Donatelli noted the repeated FAA ground stop orders created uncertainty for passengers, resulting in disrupted itineraries and extended airport wait times. He said, “I was watching all the FAA warnings, and there was this ground stop on, then off, then on
again and off again, and it’s been really uncertain.” Donatelli also said, “I just wasn’t expecting it to go for two full days. That’s been the surprise.”
State of Emergency Declared as Nor’easter Hits New York City
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on September 27 for eight counties including Bronx, Brooklyn, Nassau, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk, and Westchester in response to the storm’s effects. The nor’easter caused fallen trees and power outages in New York City, blocking roads and prompting evacuations.
A fatality was reported in Brooklyn when a 56-year-old New York City Housing Authority employee was killed after a tree fell on him
on Saturday, September 26. The New York City Fire Department evacuated a building in Glendale, Queens, after a tree toppled power lines and forced road closures around 5:40 p.m., although no injuries were reported in that incident.
Flooding and Coastal Damage Along New Jersey and New England Coasts
Floodwaters caused by a combination of storm-driven rainfall and tidal surges impacted coastal areas along the New Jersey shoreline, pushing seawater into streets and homes near the shore. Eight counties in New Jersey remained under states of emergency declared before the storm.
Massachusetts and southeastern New England experienced heavy rains, strong winds, and coastal flooding, with moderate coastal flooding predicted for parts of
the Massachusetts coast. Dangerous rip currents and waves persisted even after the storm’s center moved offshore, leading officials to warn the public to avoid shoreline and jetty areas.
Broad Impact of Nor’easter on East Coast Travel and Public Safety
The nor’easter affected a wide geography from North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks to New England’s coast, disrupting travel and public safety. Flooding, power outages, and transportation blockages extended beyond airports to roadways and communities. The FAA advised passengers to check airline updates as delays and cancellations continued due to conditions including low visibility, gusty winds, and runway operational difficulties.
Authorities cautioned that flood peaks would fluctuate with tide cycles through early next
week, prolonging hazards despite weakening storm winds. This weather event underlined the complexity of coastal flooding and transportation disruptions driven by both meteorological and tidal factors along the Atlantic coast.
