its sounds like your Nolina may be dead already?? I'd let it be but keep it dry for the next month, hopefully it will recover. Nolinas seem marginal in the North East area. I lost a mature N. lindheimeriana after the winter of 06-07 or so. Also lost smaller N. microcarpa and N. parryi. I have a couple other Nolinas out in the garden.....they survived last winter but this winter may be their demise......not sure how they are?? I think they are N. texana.....but forgot.