Storm batters mid-Atlantic coast

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The worst nor'easter in more than a decade battered New Jersey and Delaware beaches Thursday and sent water pouring into the back bays.

Wind and rain was expected to continue overnight with more severe flooding expected at high tide Friday, the National Weather Service said. The remnants of former Hurricane Ida gave energy to a fall storm to create the most dangerous conditions since the Halloween Storm of 1994, officials on the southern New Jersey Shore told the Press of Atlantic City.

Officials in Sussex County, Del., urged anyone living in flood-prone areas to seek shelter with friends or relatives, the Sussex Countian reported. In New Jersey, residents living on the bay side of the barrier islands were urged to evacuate, the Press said.

The Coast Guard abandoned a search Thursday for three missing scallop fishermen from Cape May, N.J. Their boat sank Wednesday.

In the Atlantic City area, a bridge connecting Sea Isle City and Avalon was shut down after a repair barge broke loose from its moorings late Wednesday. The bridge was expected to remain closed at least until Saturday.

Some other bridges were closed temporarily because of flooding.

In North Carolina and Virginia, many residents were without electricity because of the storm, utility companies said.

Wind gusts of 70 mph were blamed for several downed trees that resulted in four major North Carolina thoroughfares becoming blocked.