More than 400 flights were canceled and over 3,000 delayed across the US Northeast on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as a powerful nor’easter brought gale-force winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. Over 100,000 customers initially lost power across multiple states during the storm, with more than 73,000 still without electricity as of 9:37 p.m. ET.
Flight Cancellations and Delays Disrupt Boston and National Air Travel
FlightAware reported 39 cancellations and 12 delays at Boston Logan International Airport between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday. Nationwide figures showed approximately 425 flights canceled and 1,338 delayed by 1:07 p.m. ET, with cancellations increasing to 445 and delays reaching 3,016 by 9:50 p.m.
ET. Boston Logan was among the airports hardest hit by cancellations and delays amid ongoing severe weather conditions.
Severe Flooding and Evacuations in New Jersey Coastal Towns
Significant coastal flooding affected areas near New Jersey and Delaware, with submerged streets and some homes flooded. The borough of Sea Bright, New Jersey, expected flooding up to 6 feet on certain streets and wind gusts up to 50 mph. Officials issued voluntary evacuation orders in low-lying areas of Surf City and Manasquan, New Jersey. Mayor Mike Mangan of Manasquan warned of “a lot of water in the streets for a long time.”
Official Warnings and Emergency Declarations
The National Weather Service forecast a major coastal flooding
event in the Mid-Atlantic region over multiple high tide cycles, urging immediate preparation for significant inundation to homes, businesses, and roadways near the shore. New York and New Jersey governors declared states of emergency for counties expecting severe impact, while Connecticut activated its Emergency Operations Center. Mayor Brian Kelly of Sea Bright compared the flooding risk to that of Hurricane Irene in 2011, stating, “It’s going to be worse than average.”
Widespread Disruptions Beyond Flights
Public ferry services linking Cape Cod with Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were widely canceled due to dangerous wind and sea conditions. The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship
Authority reported extensive cancellations affecting island transportation. Concerts were also impacted; AC/DC’s Friday show at MetLife Stadium was postponed to October 2, and Ed Sheeran canceled his scheduled performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday and Saturday.
Peak wind gusts were forecast at 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, 50 to 55 mph around Boston, and 35 to 40 mph farther inland, with meteorologist Matthew Belk of the National Weather Service noting, “The closer to the coast you are, the more impacts from the storm you’re likely to see.”
