Shark filmed swimming through flooded Surf City streets
A smooth dogfish was recorded moving through roughly 1.2 m of floodwater in Surf City during a nor'easter that disrupted travel and damaged the Jersey Shore.
A small shark was filmed swimming through floodwaters in Surf City, New Jersey, as a nor'easter hammered the Jersey Shore and nearby cities. The clip shows the animal moving up a resident's driveway before turning back toward Barnegat Bay; the sighting was recorded on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and published on September 28, 2026.
On the video a bystander asks, "Is that a small shark?" and an alarmed voice replies, "Oh my God, it's coming toward us." The animal blends with the murky floodwater and appears to travel through streets that were ankle- to waist-deep in places.
Expert identification and local details
Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries identified the animal as a "smooth dogfish," calling it "a very small and harmless species of shark that is common in those waters." Authorities said the shark swam onto a homeowner's driveway before heading back toward Barnegat Bay. Surf City, a borough of about 1,300 residents, saw flood depths reach roughly 1.2 meters (about four feet) in spots.
The storm's impact extended well beyond the shark sighting. High tides and storm surge submerged streets and stranded vehicles, while strong winds toppled trees and disrupted transportation. Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed across the region as crews dealt with widespread damage.
Officials reported wind gusts up to 80 km/h in New York and 119 km/h in Surf City. Rain totals were highest in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where 10–15 centimeters were measured. The severe weather also had a fatal consequence: a 56-year-old employee of the New York City Housing Authority was killed when a tree toppled onto him.
Other viral footage from the storm showed residents navigating the floods in kayaks, with dogs among those on board, and motorboats moving through inundated streets. Meteorologist Mike Seidel described the scene as if "someone pulled the plug out of the bathtub," and he said conditions began to improve later in the day, with sunshine expected to return by Tuesday.
Photo: Printskrin/Iks
