East Coast nor’easter threatens Mid-Atlantic with flooding and high winds

A slow-moving nor’easter is developing off the U.S. East Coast, threatening the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast with several days of high winds, coastal flooding, and dangerous surf. The storm is expected to move erratically through the middle of the week, potentially causing prolonged impacts due to its slow progression.

Significant threats include wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph in some areas and large breaking waves between 8 and 18 feet. Coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect for several regions, including the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. In North Carolina, a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for visitors to Hatteras Island as officials warn that ocean overwash could make Highway 12 impassable, potentially stranding people on the islands.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the system for possible subtropical development, which could lead to it being named Josephine. However, meteorologists emphasize that the storm poses a substantial threat to coastal communities regardless of whether it becomes a named tropical or subtropical system.