Why the nor'easter’s storm surge was so high, and what it says about the El Niño winter ahead

A powerful nor’easter hit the U.S.

Atlantic Coast in late September 2026, causing severe flooding from North Carolina to New York.

The flooding was driven by a combination of factors, primarily a storm surge, which occurs when strong winds push ocean water toward the shore.

As the nor’easter intensified, its winds grew stronger, and the low atmospheric pressure (the force exerted by the weight of the air) also contributed to the surge.

The storm’s slow movement along the coast meant the surge lasted longer, worsening the flooding.

The surge was especially high in shallow bays and inlets, where water becomes concentrated and has nowhere to go but onto land.

For example, Raritan Bay in New Jersey and Delaware Bay experienced some of the largest surges during the storm.