'Hurricane-Level Impacts' In NJ From Nor'easter

Massive rainfall, flooded roads, and dangerous rip currents hit up and down the East Coast Sunday and many states were bracing for the worst impacts of an October nor’easter.

Heavy rain fell from the Carolinas all the way north into New England. By early Monday, more than 27,000 homes and businesses were without power in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to PowerOutage.us.'

New York City's biggest Columbus Day celebration also won't be happening today. The Columbus Citizens Foundation, the organizers of the annual parade, announced the cancellation Sunday night, due to New York's state of emergency from the nor'easter.

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Some flight delays and cancellations were announced in airports from Washington to Boston.

(MORE: How The Nor'Easter Should Play Out Today)

North Carolina's Highway 12 closed early Sunday as the Outer Banks continue to be battered by storms. NCDOT's camera showed the ocean washing over the roadway and a truck dangerously stuck in the surf on Sunday morning. Officials are urging residents not to travel in the area.

The waves were ferocious at the Hatteras Island town of Buxton, where several beachfront homes have fallen into the water in recent weeks. One house was losing its pilings Sunday and appeared close to collapsing.

“The waves are crashing really hard into the houses and the dunes, and it’s all eroding,” said Robert Splawn, who was watching on the beach.

Flooding was widespread down the coast in Georgetown County, South Carolina, where several motorists had to be rescued when rising waters inundated their cars, Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis told the Post and Courier on Sunday. Parts of the county had received up to seven inches of rain.

Further south in Charleston, South Carolina, many downtown streets were closed because of flooding. Homeowner David Graubner spent the weekend pumping out his property, hoping to avoid a repeat of Friday, when the high tide brought nearly a foot of water into his garage, where his new Corvette was parked.

"And I got all my toys in the garage and tools and stuff. So whatever helps. Even lowering the water by a few inches makes a difference,” Graubner told WCIV-TV.

There were several road closures in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as heavy rain overwhelmed that city’s stormwater system.

“Please be safe and stay home, if possible,” Myrtle Beach officials posted on Facebook.

Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency on Friday, authorizing state and local agencies to begin activating their emergency operational plans.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also declared a State of Emergency for New York City, Long Island and Westchester. She made a statement on the storm, saying “We're ready to assist local partners as damaging winds & heavy rain move in, with the potential for flooding & power outages.”

The National Weather Service placed New York City, Long Island and southern Westchester County under a coastal flood warning and wind advisory through at least Monday afternoon. Coastal areas of suburban Long Island could see flooding, with up to 3 inches of rain and lashing winds expected, the weather service said.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, abbreviated to DEMA, stated that they will use the Delaware National Guard to assist those impacted by the Nor'Easter through Monday.

Before reaching those states, the storm brought high winds and heavy rain to North Carolina. Dare County, where high surf from Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda swept away homes just last month, issued a warning for residents.

“If you are standing at ground level and there is little to no dune between you and the ocean, you are in a vulnerable area,” the warning reads in bold print. “Be ready to take action to protect property from ocean overwash.”

In Virginia, the city of Norfolk took the step of sealing the city's 9-mile wall ahead of looming coastal flooding. By Sunday afternoon gusting winds pushed high tide into Norfolk’s East Ocean View neighborhood. Emergency officials urged residents to stay inside and off roads.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.