Storm disrupts power and travel across the US Northeast

A severe storm swept across the northeastern United States with heavy rain and strong winds, flooding roads, disrupting flights and leaving tens of thousands without electricity on Saturday local time. In New York, about 35,000 households were without power, according to poweroutage.com.

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for several New York counties before the storm arrived. On Saturday she warned of “extremely dangerous conditions” along the coast because of high waves and flooding. Wind gusts in New York exceeded 80 kilometres per hour, she said.

Air travel was also disrupted. More than 250 flights had been cancelled at Boston Logan International Airport by Saturday morning, according to FlightAware. Organisers also called off several concerts planned for the weekend.

The Global Citizen Festival, held in New York’s Central Park every year since 2012, was cancelled for the first time in its history, its organisers said. Two scheduled Ed Sheeran concerts near Boston were also cancelled because of the weather.