Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Possible Shark Swims Through Flooded New Jersey Street During Nor’easter
A strong storm caused flooding in a coastal town in New Jersey.
The water covered some streets and made them look like small rivers.
People said they saw a small shark swimming through one flooded road.
A homeowner recorded a video from a porch.
The video spread quickly on social media.
News 12 said it was a possible shark sighting rather than confirming exactly what was shown.
Officials said the storm and floodwater were much more dangerous than the unusual animal sighting.
They told people not to walk or drive through the water because it could hide debris, power lines and strong currents.
Residents in Surf City, New Jersey, reported seeing a small shark swimming through a flooded street.
A homeowner’s video appeared to show a dogfish shark moving through storm-surge floodwater.
News 12 described the footage as a possible shark sighting, while videos spread widely on social media.
A powerful nor’easter brought heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding, outages and road closures to the region.
Officials urged residents to avoid floodwater because of debris, downed power lines and dangerous currents.
- Who
- Residents, local officials and a homeowner in Surf City; New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency in eight counties.
- What
- A video reportedly showed a small dogfish shark swimming through floodwater on a residential street.
- When
- The sighting reportedly occurred Saturday during the nor’easter; the storm began weakening Sunday, with impacts forecast through Monday, September 28.
- Where
- Surf City on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, amid flooding caused by the storm surge.
- Why
- Heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding turned local streets into waterways, allowing wildlife to move through the floodwater.
Reported Shark Sighting
Cautious Official Assessment
What the video shows
Reported Shark Sighting
Residents and social-media users said the footage showed a small dogfish shark swimming down a flooded street.
Cautious Official Assessment
News 12 described it as a possible shark sighting, leaving the identification unconfirmed; officials focused on the broader dangers created by the storm and floodwater.
- Reported location
- Surf City, on Long Beach Island, New Jersey
- Animal identified in reports
- A small dogfish shark
- Storm
- A powerful nor’easter
- Storm effects
- Heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding, power outages and road closures
- Emergency declaration
- Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency in eight New Jersey counties
- Official warning
- Residents were urged to avoid walking or driving through floodwater
- Forecast period
- The National Weather Service said impacts could continue through Monday, September 28