More than 400 flights were cancelled across the US Northeast on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as a nor’easter swept through the region, leaving over 70,000 customers without power. The storm brought gale-force winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding, severely disrupting air travel and local infrastructure.
Flight Disruptions at Boston Logan and JFK
FlightAware reported 39 cancellations and 12 delays at Boston Logan International Airport between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York experienced 22 flight cancellations within the same timeframe. Airlines operating in the Northeast announced waivers for change and cancellation fees on East Coast flights through the weekend
in response to the storm’s impact.
Flooding and Evacuations in New Jersey Boroughs
The Mid-Atlantic coast faced significant flooding, especially near New Jersey and Delaware. In Surf City, New Jersey, streets and some homes were flooded. Manasquan saw flooded roadways and issued voluntary evacuation orders for its low-lying areas. Sea Bright anticipated floodwaters up to six feet on some streets along with winds exceeding 50 mph. Brian Kelly, Sea Bright’s mayor, described the event as potentially comparable to the 2011 Irene flooding, urging residents in flood-prone zones to evacuate. The borough’s recreation center was opened for displaced residents.
Transportation and Event Cancellations
Ferry services managed by the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard
and Nantucket Steamship Authority were suspended on Friday due to strong winds, affecting connections between Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Ferry cancellations extended to Rhode Island’s Block Island and were expected to persist into Saturday. Ed Sheeran’s concerts scheduled at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts for Friday and Saturday were cancelled. The Red Sox rescheduled their Sunday game against the Chicago Cubs to Friday, creating a split doubleheader to accommodate the storm.
Official Warnings and Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service forecast peak wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Friday night through Saturday. Winds near Boston
were projected at 50 to 55 mph, dropping to 35 to 40 mph farther inland. Along New Jersey and Delaware coasts, gusts up to 60 mph were expected. Meteorologist Matthew Belk stated, “The closer to the coast you are, the more impacts from the storm you’re likely to see.” Leaves remaining on trees early in the season increased risks of downed limbs causing power outages and road blockages. The National Weather Service warned, “This storm is expected to bring major coastal flooding to the Mid-Atlantic Coast over multiple high tide cycles through the weekend. Prepare immediately for significant inundation in
low-lying areas near the shore, including roads underwater and impacts to homes and businesses.” Meanwhile, Sean Driscoll, spokesperson for the ferry authority, characterized the cancellations as typical for these conditions, saying, “It’s a nuisance, but you know, we know what to do with this kind of stuff at this point.”
Power outages affecting over 70,000 customers complicated transportation and daily activities throughout the Northeast on Saturday.
