A powerful early-season nor’easter battered the East Coast on Saturday, bringing torrential rain, damaging winds and coastal flooding that affected millions of people across the region.
Parts of New York and New Jersey, where states of emergency were in effect, experienced flooded streets as heavy rain combined with high tides to create dangerous conditions.
Off the Jersey Shore and southern New England, offshore buoys recorded waves reaching 16 feet or higher as the storm intensified. Additional rain and strong wind gusts were expected to continue through the overnight hours.
In New York City, powerful winds brought down hundreds of trees, causing widespread hazards across the five boroughs.
In Brooklyn, a 56-year-old man was killed after being struck by a falling tree while walking through a parking lot in East New York, according to WABC.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani identified the victim as Leighton Brown, an employee of the New York City Housing Authority.
“My thoughts are with his entire family as they deal with this unimaginable loss,” Mamdani said in a statement. “May he rest in peace, and may his service to our city be remembered.”
Officials continued to urge residents to exercise caution as heavy rain, strong winds and flooding threatened parts of the Northeast through the night.
