The East Coast took a beating in the last two days from a fierce nor’easter. The storm left perhaps millions without power and too many people losing lives in several states. Family members in Tidewater Virginia were affected by downed trees, flooding, travel woes, snow, rain, and loss of power, but they’re safe. Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia issued a state of emergency.
Moving up the coast from the mid-Atlantic, the storm pounded the coastal communities of New Hampshire forcing high tides into neighborhoods. Roads became rivers for two days but the nor’easter pulled away from the coast today leaving us with cold, blustery winds and rough seas. We drove to the coastline to survey the damage.
Higher elevations showed evidence of very little damage….
…while waves were still pummeling the seawalls and shoreline.
We witnessed the power of Mother Nature on seawalls up and down the NH coast. Huge chunks were missing or the walls were simply gone in places.
The sheer force of the storm ripped large holes in parking areas, eroded road edges, and left massive amounts of rocks everywhere. Locals were busy clearing them away from driveways and yards, a monumental job on some properties.
Crews working around the clock cleared roadways of rocks, sand, wood, and rubble.
This sidewalk simply disappeared and was replaced by rocks.
People are drawn to the ocean in good weather and bad. Today’s weather brought out many folks who, like us, wanted to be a part of the experience, check out the ocean, or grab some photographs of the waves.
A 5K and Half Marathon scheduled for the Seacoast today was being held in spite of standing water. When the going gets tough…. those New Hampshire runners get going. Hot soup and Smuttynose beer awaited the runners at the finish line.
Local police were bundled up against the cold at the finish line.
Spectators braved the rocks to view the ocean.
A downed barrier offered this photographer the perfect perch for photography.
The downside of the storm was evident but there was an upside for a few. Surfers are always excited to experience the after effects of a storm. This afternoon, there were about a dozen of them riding massive wave action out in the Atlantic.
Spring might be right around the corner, but we are rudely reminded that winter is not finished with us. Weather forecasts predict that a major winter storm in the northern plains may bring us more snow, heavy rain, and strong winds by next weekend… that while thousands of utility workers are racing right now to restore power to millions. Sigh.
Your photo of the breaking waves illustrates the power of nature. I hope that the next storm forecasted leaves your area unaffected!
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Thanks! I hope so, too. Fingers crossed….
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Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean look so strange. The inland area is so flat, without mountains and cliffs. The beaches are so rocky instead of sandy. Everything is so gray.
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Excluding inlets, bays, islands, and estuaries, the NOAA gives New Hampshire only 13 miles of beaches on the ocean! Yep, it’s naturally rocky with lots of granite but there are gorgeous sandy beaches. Mountains aren’t too far away. My kids snow ski every weekend. But what I love best is the color GREEN. It’s a lush forested state…. the second most forested in the US behind Maine. Do I sound like a travel ad? 😊
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Not at all. It is good to appreciate where you are.
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We may not be there, but we keep checking the weather and the outage map. Glad the power has stayed on but sorry for all the damage along the coast.
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I’m sure Dover is okay following the storm…. and I’m glad it didn’t affect South Carolina too much. I see the weather there has finally warmed up and I’m sure you are taking full advantage. 🌞
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I agree, seeing the ocean and beach is wonderful in both good and bad weather. Something about going out after a storm and seeing what mother nature has done, I guess it just speaks to your soul and our own vulnerabilities. So glad our electricity is back on but many of my family is still out. We have snow/rain showers in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, so yes winter is still holding on… xo kim
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I was surprised your tents didn’t blow away! A good blow sometimes takes care of those unreachable dead branches in trees but it sounds like you lost more than that with your pines. Big cleanup!
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Your photos are intense illustrations of nature’s power and human resilience.
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No matter how hard we try to tame the environment, nature will always have the upper hand
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Yes. We’ll have to learn ways in which to work with nature, rather than think of controlling.
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The East Coast has been getting clobbered all too often! Global warming is likely a big part of this. Stay safe!
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Yes. Yes. Yes.
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