A powerful Nor’easter hitting the US East Coast caused heavy winds, rain, and coastal flooding from North Carolina through New England on September 28, 2026. The storm produced dangerous tidal flooding and hazardous waves across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and surrounding coastal areas.
Flight Disruptions at Logan Airport and Nationwide
FlightAware reported over 3,000 flight delays and nearly 430 cancellations across the US due to the storm’s impact. Logan Airport in Boston alone experienced more than 400 flight cancellations on September 28, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued intermittent ground stops for flights destined for Logan Airport owing to strong winds associated with the Nor’easter,
contributing to widespread operational delays.
FAA ground stops were repeatedly activated and lifted at Logan Airport during the storm, resulting in uncertainty for passengers and airlines operating in and through the Boston hub.
Travelers’ Experiences Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Traveler Daryl Donatelli at Logan Airport described repeated FAA ground stops creating uncertainty: “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,” he said. Donatelli added that the duration of the disruption was unexpected: “I just wasn’t expecting it to go for two full days. That’s been the surprise.”
Cheryl Draves, an athletic director and cheer coach from Florida delayed at Logan Airport after flight cancellations, reported spending six hours trying to manage the situation. She expressed concern for her group, stating, “My concern is more about my girls because, you know, they’re away from home, and they’re away from their parents, and to be thousands of miles — a thousand miles away is a lot for teenage girls.”
Fatality and Public Safety Measures in New York City
The Nor’easter led to a fatal accident in Brooklyn, New York City, where a 56-year-old New York City Housing Authority employee died after a tree fell on him. The incident
occurred in a parking area and authorities at Brookdale University Hospital declared the victim dead. Investigations into the cause of the tree fall are ongoing.
In Queens, the New York City Fire Department evacuated a building after downed power lines caused by fallen trees blocked roads and created hazardous conditions. Governor Kathy Hochul declared states of emergency for Bronx, Brooklyn, Nassau, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in response to storm-related threats including flooding and power disruptions.
Ongoing Travel and Safety Challenges
The storm caused widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, and flooding linked to tidal surges compounded challenges along the US
East Coast. Floodwaters pushed inland primarily along the New Jersey coast and Massachusetts, prompting eight counties in New Jersey to remain under state of emergency declarations.
Coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents persisted even as the Nor’easter’s center moved away. Road travel was also disrupted by blocked roads from fallen trees and power lines, limiting movement in impacted urban and suburban areas.
The FAA advised travelers to contact their airlines routinely as changing wind conditions and operational restrictions continued to affect airports including Logan Airport through September 28, 2026.
