Could Also Face High Winds of up to 60 mph
By Hank Russell
A vicious coastal storm is expected to hit Long Island later this weekend, with the region expected to get up to three inches of rain by Monday.
In a special announcement on October 10, Governor Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to prepare ahead of a strong coastal storm that is forecast to impact portions of New York during Columbus Day weekend. The storm, which is expected to begin forming off the coast of the Carolinas on Saturday, will strengthen as it moves up the mid-Atlantic coast towards southern New England, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and the potential for coastal flooding to downstate New York. Ahead of the storm, Hochul is urging New Yorkers to closely monitor their local forecasts, prepare their households accordingly and to use caution if traveling in impacted areas this weekend.
“As this coastal storm approaches, I’m urging all New Yorkers to stay alert, watch the forecast closely, and take steps now to prepare,” Hochul said. “Conditions can change quickly, so please use caution if you need to travel and check on friends and neighbors who may need extra help. Staying vigilant and informed will help keep everyone safe through the weekend.”
Current forecasts are projecting strong winds to be one of the most hazardous impacts of this storm. Already, the National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for Nassau and Suffolk Counties beginning 12 p.m. on October 12 through 6 a.m. on October 13. During this period, wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are possible and could result in downed trees and possible power outages.
Forecasters are also calling for long duration rainfall as part of this storm, the most intense of which will be focused downstate where between 1.5 and 3 inches of rainfall is expected in the Long Island region and minor flooding resulting from poor drainage is possible.
Additionally, a Coastal Flood Watch has been issued for Long Island beginning 8 a.m. on October 12 through 6 p.m. on October 13. Widespread flooding will impact the entire coastline, with the potential for major flooding across the south shore of Long Island back bays and Great South Bay beginning with the high tides on October 12. Beach erosion is also likely.
New Yorkers are encouraged to monitor their local forecasts, weather watches and warnings. It is critical to ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. New Yorkers can also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.
Hochul also launched a new, comprehensive tool – resilient.ny.gov – to connect New Yorkers with the wide-ranging state investments and initiatives available to make their communities more resilient and adaptive to climate change. The website offers a centralized resilience platform – a one-stop shop for residents, businesses, and municipalities to find the resources, assistance, and funding opportunities needed to plan, adapt, and strengthen communities. The site helps connect users with funding through an easy-to-navigate funding directory and information about how the state is planning ahead to meet future needs through the New York State Adaptation and Resilience Plan.