Nor'easter spawns widespread power outages and coastal flooding across Northeast
Nor'easter triggers major power outages and coastal flooding across Northeast communities.
Event / Disaster
Atlantic Nor'easter September 2026
A powerful nor'easter struck the Northeast coast, exposing shipwreck remains including the Warren Sawyer from 1884, while causing flooding, power outages, and coastal erosion across New Jersey and New England.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
2 articles0 articles
2026-09-29 to 2026-11-01 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 29 Sept, 03:47 UTC
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What happened
State archaeologists previously identified Warren Sawyer hull sections
State archaeologists inspected a roughly 42-foot section of hull exposed on Miacomet Beach in late 2022 and concluded it was likely part of the Warren Sawyer. A roughly 15-foot-square section of the lower stern appeared nearby in February 2023, but shifting sands buried it again before state archaeologists could return to document it.
Nor'easter exposes shipwreck remains on Nantucket beach
A powerful nor'easter that struck the Northeast coastline over the weekend exposed wooden ship timbers on Nantucket's southern shore. The weathered wooden beams, fastened together by rusted iron, emerged on a drive-on beach near the town's wastewater facility. The newly exposed wreckage has not been identified with certainty, but officials believe it may be from the Warren Sawyer, a wooden schooner lost in 1884.
Nantucket known as one of Atlantic's major shipwreck zones
Nantucket is recognized as one of the areas known as the 'graveyards of the Atlantic,' with more than 750 wrecks estimated in the surrounding waters. The region's dangerous maritime conditions have resulted in numerous historical shipwrecks over centuries.
Warren Sawyer schooner ran aground in 1884 carrying cotton and scrap iron
The Warren Sawyer, a wooden schooner, ran aground on December 22, 1884, while carrying 1,115 bales of cotton and 28 tons of scrap iron from New Orleans to Boston. Its captain and seven-member crew were rescued. The ship remained intact on Miacomet Beach for two weeks, allowing islanders to salvage 700 bales of cotton using oxen and skids before another storm on January 6, 1885, tore the vessel apart.
Maritime experts to investigate newly exposed shipwreck remains
The Egan Maritime Institute announced that its exhibits and collections manager would survey the newly exposed wreckage site and send a report to state underwater archaeologists. State and institute officials will work together to determine which vessel the wreckage came from. Massachusetts law prohibits removing, damaging, or displacing underwater archaeological resources.
Nor'easter causes power outages and coastal flooding across Northeast
A slow-moving nor'easter battered the Northeast coastline over the weekend with heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous surf. The storm flooded low-lying communities from New Jersey to New England and knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers. The storm raised concerns about coastal erosion as waves crashed into beaches and seawalls.
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2 alternative perspectives
Storm unearths 142-year-old Warren Sawyer shipwreck on Nantucket
Nor'easter exposes 1884 Warren Sawyer shipwreck on Nantucket; maritime experts plan investigation.