A rare September nor’easter struck New York on Saturday, September 26, 2026, delivering heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding that forced state of emergency declarations, widespread travel disruptions, and major event cancellations across the region. The National Weather Service tracked the storm as it impacted New York and neighboring states, prompting officials to warn residents of hazardous travel conditions and potential power outages.
Did You Know? New York City’s high-profile Global Citizen Festival in Central Park was completely called off due to the weather concerns brought on by the rare September storm.
Travel Delays and Airline Waivers
Air travel across the New York City region faced immediate setbacks as the nor’easter moved in. The Federal Aviation Administration reported departure delays ranging from 16 to 30 minutes at John F. Kennedy International Airport alongside shorter gate-hold and taxi delays at LaGuardia Airport amid rain, low clouds, and strong winds. Major carriers including American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines issued travel waivers that allowed eligible customers to change their flights ahead of the severe weather, according to reporting by Reuters.
Emergency Declarations and Safety Warnings
New York officials declared states of emergency in areas expected to absorb the worst impacts of the storm, including New York City. Gov. Kathy Hochul urged residents to take the storm seriously as it tracked through the state, while the National Weather Service warned that strong wind gusts could trigger scattered power outages and make travel difficult. Forecasters cautioned that the system would continue bringing periods of heavy rain, strong coastal winds, and localized flooding through the weekend, with officials advising the public to avoid flooded roadways and monitor ongoing alerts.
Schedule Changes and Affected Events
The severe weather forced adjustments to major sports and entertainment schedules in the Northeast. The New York Yankees altered their final regular-season series against the Baltimore Orioles, postponing Saturday’s scheduled matchup at Yankee Stadium due to sustained inclement weather. That game was shifted to Friday as part of a single-admission doubleheader under an announcement from Major League Baseball and the Yankees, while Sunday’s 3:20 p.m. ET regular-season finale remained on schedule as of Saturday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the travel delays at New York airports?
The Federal Aviation Administration attributed departure delays of 16 to 30 minutes at John F. Kennedy International Airport, along with gate-hold and taxi delays at LaGuardia Airport, to rain, low clouds, and strong winds from the nor’easter.
Which areas are under a state of emergency?
New York officials declared states of emergency in regions anticipated to experience the worst effects of the storm, including New York City.
Are the Yankees still playing the Orioles this weekend?
Saturday’s game was postponed and moved to Friday as part of a doubleheader, but Sunday’s 3:20 p.m. ET regular-season finale remains on schedule.
How are you adjusting your weekend plans to stay safe during the severe weather?
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