New Jersey declares a state of emergency as October threatens to flood the East Coast

“The biggest impacts will be the potential for coastal flooding, especially in areas from northeastern North Carolina northward to most of coastal New Jersey,” said meteorologist Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Heavy rain was also expected in southeastern New England and the New York City area, with some falling in coastal parts of South Carolina, Oravec said.

The entire state of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since Saturday night. It is expected to continue through Monday, allowing state emergency services personnel to be activated as necessary.

Parts of the state are expected to experience moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h), up to 5 inches (about 13 cm) of rain and high waves, which may cause beach erosion. Some volunteers were placing sandbags on the beaches.

The National Weather Service has placed New York City under a coastal flood warning and wind advisory until at least Monday afternoon. The weather service said coastal areas on Long Island’s outskirts could see flooding, with up to 3 inches (about 8 cm) of rain and high winds expected.

Wind gusts of more than 30 mph (48 km/h) were already recorded in the area Sunday morning.

Some flight delays and cancellations were announced at airports from Washington, D.C., to Boston.

The storm is expected to move in by Monday night.