Major storm bearing down on East Coast

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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A major coastal storm is expected to blow through the East Coast Sunday into Monday, arriving exactly five years after superstorm Sandy devastated the area.

On Saturday, the storm system — which is expected to be significantly less powerful than Sandy — is forecast to spread heavy rain across Florida, after which it will quickly move up the East Coast.

By Sunday afternoon, heavy rain will be falling from New Jersey to New England.

The heaviest rain will be Sunday evening from New York City to Boston.

Flash flooding is possible, with some areas getting more than 6 inches of rainfall.

As the storm gets stronger and closer to the Northeast, gusty winds will develop, especially into Monday morning. Some of the gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph, and in New England, gusts may near 70 mph.

Travelers should brace for potential delays at northeastern airports.

Sunday marks five years to the day that Superstorm Sandy devastated the East Coast in 2012. The storm resulted in dozens of deaths in New York state, and both New York and New Jersey reported over $30 billion in damages.

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