US Northeast coast was gearing up for the effects of a nor’easter on Tuesday, and officials have warned that it could cause intense flooding, hurricane-force wind gusts, and widespread power outages.

New York and New Jersey are already on emergency declarations ahead of the storm. The forecast is it will gather strength through the day as it sweeps toward New England.

Parts of New Jersey saw more than 5 inches of rain on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The intensity of the rain led to flooding in some areas. Strong winds were forecast to buffet the area on Wednesday, bringing the potential for widespread power outages, officials said.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued an order to delay the opening of state offices until 11 am because of the wind and rain, calling the day “a washout.”

Rutgers University moved its classes online due to the storm. Some other colleges and school districts cancelled classes altogether.

In New England, officials warned of possible flooding and power outages as the storm headed north. The worst of it was expected to hit late Tuesday through Wednesday morning, lashing the region with high winds and heavy rain.

Wind gusts as high as 75 mph were forecast on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod, with sustained winds as high as 45 mph. The National Weather Service warned that waves off the state’s coast could reach 19 feet.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority suspended its ferry service Tuesday and Wednesday. In Salem, which hosts one of the nation’s largest Halloween festivals through October, the town canceled ferry service to Boston, urging visitors to take a commuter train instead.

The early nor’easter arrives before many trees have shed their leaves for the winter, raising the risk for power outages as branches weighed down by wet leaves come in contact with transmission lines. Eversource, a power company that serves Connecticut and other New England states, warned widespread outages were possible through Wednesday.

The storm has already disrupted some flights, and federal officials warned about possible delays or cancellations across the region.

Seven flights were diverted from New York City’s airports to Albany on Monday night because of heavy rain, according to officials at Albany International Airport. All but one of the flights had left Albany by early Tuesday.

The storm arrives just weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Ida inundated the Northeast and caused deadly flooding. At least 50 people from Virginia to Connecticut died as rainwater trapped cars on submerged waterways and flooded subway stations and basements.

(With AP inputs)