Coast Guard rescues man from nor’easter storm
The Coast Guard saved a man from rough waters off Nobska Point in Massachusetts after local rescue efforts were hindered by nor’easter conditions.
As a nor’easter brought widespread rain and strong winds in Massachusetts over the weekend, a man was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard from the water off the coast of Falmouth.
According to a news release from Falmouth Fire/Rescue, the man was spotted in the water at around 3:30 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 13, by a local ferry crew, who tried to rescue him by throwing life rings into the water.
“Given poor visibility and rough seas due to ongoing storm conditions, responders immediately contacted the US Coast Guard and Harbor Master’s Office for additional resources,” officials said.
Officials added that the Coast Guard located the man at around 4:25 p.m. local time.
How did the man end up in the water?
In a video shared by officials, the man is seen being hoisted up into a Coast Guard helicopter.
“Following the rescue, the helicopter transported the victim to Joint Base Cape Cod, where Emergency Medical Services were standing by. The victim was transferred to Falmouth Hospital for evaluation and observation,” officials said.
Officials, who did not identify the man, said they’re unsure how he ended up in the water.
“We extend our gratitude to all public safety personnel involved—from the initial report to the final transport—as well as the crew of the Steamship Ferry whose quick thinking and assistance may have played a vital role in this positive outcome,” officials said.
What is a nor’easter?
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a nor’easter is “a storm along the East Coast of North America.” The storm’s name derives from the direction of the winds that blow over the coastal area, typically from the northeast, the government agency added.
Nor’easters may occur at any time of the year, but the storms are “the most frequent and most violent between September and April,” according to the NWS. Previous nor’easters have accounted for “billions of dollars in damage, severe economic, transportation and human disruption, and in some cases, disastrous coastal flooding,” the agency added.
The NWS said nor’easters usually develop in the latitudes between Georgia and New Jersey, within 100 miles east or west of the East Coast. From there, these storms generally progress northeastward, typically attaining maximum intensity near New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada.
Nor’easters nearly always bring precipitation, whether it be heavy rain or snow, as well as winds of gale force, rough seas and occasionally, coastal flooding to impacted regions, according to the NWS.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
