The storm battered shorelines and low-lying areas across a wide stretch of the Northeast coast at the same time waters were already running high. That combination, heavy rain and wind hitting right as tides peaked, turned a seasonal storm into a bigger mess for people living along the water.
Residents up and down the coast are now dealing with whatever damage the storm left behind, from flooded streets to battered shorefronts. Communities that plan for nor'easters later in the year got caught by one arriving ahead of schedule, meaning less time to prepare. Local crews are working through the cleanup between Virginia and Maine.
Nor'easters are a fall and winter fixture along the Atlantic coast. This one showed up early and lined up with high tide, which is why it caused more trouble than usual for the towns in its path.