A powerful coastal storm left at least one person dead, more than 100,000 customers without electricity and caused severe flooding across parts of the northeastern United States, as millions remained under warnings for heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous coastal conditions Sunday.
The victim was identified as Leighton Brown, a 56-year-old New York City Housing Authority worker, who died Saturday after a tree fell on him in Brooklyn. He was taken to a city hospital, where he later died.
Another tree fell at a Brooklyn playground, injuring four people, including two children, ages 1 and 7, and two women.
Authorities were also searching for a swimmer who went missing at a Long Island beach, where rough surf created dangerous conditions.
More than 100,000 customers without power
Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines across several states. According to PowerOutage.us, more than 100,000 customers remained without electricity Sunday morning across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including more than 40,000 in New York, 31,000 in Connecticut and 21,000 in New Jersey.
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The storm moved slowly offshore, keeping heavy rain, strong winds and elevated tides over the region for hours.
Meteorologists warned that coastal areas of New England could still experience significant flooding Sunday, while the system was expected to gradually weaken Monday.
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, water levels reached heights comparable to those recorded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In other coastal communities, floodwaters reached streets and homes, forcing residents to move through inundated areas.
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Hundreds of flights canceled
The storm also disrupted air travel across much of the country. About 450 flights were canceled Saturday, while another 440 had been canceled during the first hours of Sunday, according to data cited in the report.
Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts was among the facilities most affected by the weather. Heavy rain and strong winds also caused numerous delays.
The National Weather Service warned that the danger extended beyond flooding. Large waves could produce dangerous currents, beach erosion and damage along coastal areas from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England.
Northeast remains under alert
Millions of people remained in the storm’s path Sunday as the system stayed near Long Island and New Jersey, potentially prolonging its effects for several more hours.
The combination of strong winds, heavy rain and elevated tides continued to pose a risk of additional flooding and power outages as emergency crews worked to clear fallen trees and restore electricity.
