Widespread 30-40 mph winds were already hitting the East Coast Thursday, with coastal flooding intensifying from North Carolina to New England as the nor'easter strengthens and moves north.
A 16-mile stretch of North Carolina Highway 12 on the Outer Banks closed because ocean overwash hit the road, and major flood-stage water levels were forecast at high tide in parts of the mid-Atlantic.
Friday and Saturday bring the storm's strongest impacts to eastern Long Island and coastal New England, where gusts could top 50 mph and heavy rain may trigger urban flash flooding, especially around Boston.
Coastal flood warnings cover Virginia Beach, Dover and Atlantic City, while Boston is under high surf and coastal flood alerts with airport delays, power outages and beach erosion possible into the weekend.
The most persistent flooding is expected from southern New Jersey to the northern Outer Banks through multiple high tides before the nor'easter weakens Sunday, with some showers and gusty winds lingering into Monday.