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How LI, NJ are preparing for the nor'easter
FOX 5 NY's Antwan Lewis and Jodi Goldberg go into detail about how Long Island and New Jersey are preparing for this weekend's nor'easter.
NEW YORK - The first fall nor'easter of 2026 is heading toward the New York City area, potentially becoming a major storm bringing gusty winds, rain and coastal flooding this weekend.
JUMP TO: NOR'EASTER DEFINITION l TIMELINE l IMPACTS l SCENARIOS
What is a nor'easter?
The backstory:
Despite popular belief, snow is not a requirement for a nor'easter.
A storm earns the title of "nor'easter" based on wind direction. If a strong low-pressure system off the Atlantic Ocean brings winds that blow from the northeast onto the coast, it's a nor'easter. If those winds are coming out of the east or southeast, it technically misses the definition—even if the impacts on land feel exactly the same.
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Jersey Shore prepares for nor'easter bringing high winds, coastal flooding loom
The Jersey Shore is bracing for flooding and high surf as nor'easter brings heavy winds up the coast. Meteorologist Nick Gregory is tracking the storm.
What we know:
The combination of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds will be most likely to cause impacts over coastal locations, peaking Friday into Saturday.
A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for southern Nassau for the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tide cycles.
Hazards
- Gale Warning on the western inner ocean waters and all non-ocean waters Friday morning through Sunday night.
- Storm Warning on all outer ocean waters and inner eastern ocean zone Friday morning through Sunday night.
- Coastal Flood Watch in effect for Long Island, S NY Harbor & S Queens Friday evening through Saturday afternoon.
- Coastal Flood Advisory in effect for S NY Harbor & S Queens this evening into Friday morning.
- Coastal Flood Statement for S NY Harbor & S Queens this evening into Friday AM.
- Wind Advisory in effect Friday afternoon through Sunday morning for Long Island, NYC, S Westchester, and most of S CT.
What they're saying:
Officials say waves in Manasquan can get up to as high as 11, 12 or even 13 feet.
Crews at Jones Beach State Park are building up a wall of sand to block the surge from pushing into the central mall. Barricades and sand bags are said to be at the ready in flood-prone neighborhoods.
Are your weekend plans ruined?
Days before the impact, some weekend plans have already been postponed or even canceled in preparation.
- The 36th annual Maritime Festival in Greenport has been postponed. The new dates are October 16th-18th.
- Both the annual 5k and the community flea market at The West Hampton Beach Village Marina were called off.
The Source: Information from this article was sourced from the National Weather Service, NOAA and FOX 5 NY's Antwan Lewis and Jodi Goldberg's reporting.