Bryan Norcross: Continuing long-duration coastal flood event from strengthening nor'easter

This story was last updated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

Strong northeast winds continue to impact the central U.S. East Coast. Coastal flood alerts cover the coastline and, in some cases, the inland waterways. The slow-moving nor'easter – a slowly intensifying low-pressure system – and high pressure over the Midwest are working together to create the channel of strong northeast winds.

FALL’S NEXT NOR’EASTER COULD BATTER EAST COAST FOR DAYS WITH DANGEROUS SURF, STRONG WINDS AND COASTAL FLOODING

Because neither system is forecast to move very quickly, the battering at the coast will continue with coastal impacts spreading north. Huge waves on elevated high tides will cause minor to moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion at least into Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

Low-lying roads will be impassable and might be washed out. Some areas will be isolated because access roads are flooded or damaged. Wave energy will eat away at the beaches.

Everybody along and near the coast from North Carolina to New Jersey should stay aware of the latest alerts for their area.

WHAT IS A NOR’EASTER?

There is better consensus in the various computer forecast models now. The nor'easter is expected to slowly move north offshore of the East Coast and then slowly turn out to sea by late Wednesday. Although the storm is forecast to slowly intensify, since its center is well offshore, that's not expected to make much difference in the impacts at the coast.

Conditions should improve by Thursday, but the ocean will likely remain agitated for a bit longer.

SUPER EL NIÑO FUELED WINTER COULD UNLEASH MORE STORMS, DRIVING MORE ACTIVE PATTERN INTO THE SOUTH

The National Hurricane Center has upped the odds that the nor'easter will gain enough tropical characteristics to be officially named Josephine into the medium range. That's not expected to happen, however, until the system is moving away from the East Coast.

Whether it briefly becomes Josephine or not is irrelevant to the impacts from the persistent northeast wind and the strong swells emanating from the storm.

The Gulf Stream pushes warm water northeast away from the East Coast and the storm might be able to tap into that heat source to gain some tropical characteristics. It would be added to the 2026 list in the record book simply to keep an accurate account of what Mother Nature has been up to.

WHAT IS COASTAL EROSION AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Even though there's a medium chance of some tropical development, there's a 100% chance of coastal impacts.

After swiping west-central Mexico, Trudy is quickly weakening and is forecast to die out in the waters offshore of Cabo San Lucas tonight or tomorrow.

Trudy's moisture will contribute to a significant rain event this week in the Southwest when a strong Pacific storm moves through the region. Stay aware of flood alerts issued by the local National Weather Service offices.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The system to Trudy's south is likely to develop. Its initial track looks to be offshore of the Mexican coastline, but eventual impacts are possible.