Flooding, high wind concerns remain as nor'easter heads out of region
NEW YORK - A coastal flood advisory for portions of New Jersey and New York along with a high wind warning for eastern Long Island were in effect Wednesday as the nor'easter that brought heavy rain and flooding a day earlier made its way out of the region.
Flood warnings were also issued for portions of New Jersey.
Wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour were forecasted for New York City. Higher wind gusts were forecasted for the Jersey Shore and Long Island.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul each declared a state of emergency for their respective states late Monday. Those declarations had expired.
Murphy's declaration, which covered the entire state, allowed the state to free up resources and take steps to respond to the storm which was forecasted to bring significant flash flooding, coastal flooding, and wind gusts. Residents were urged to stay off the road.
"Today is definitely a washout and, again, tonight we'll get with the washout, combined with that some high winds. Please, please everyone be safe and use your common sense," said Murphy during a briefing on the storm Tuesday.
Hochul's declaration covered all of New York City and Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rockland, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
"We are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and working to communicate with our partners in government on the heavy rain and wind we're expecting to see through tonight and into tomorrow," said Gov. Hochul. "All New Yorkers should remain vigilant and be prepared to follow any emergency orders issued by local governments. I am strongly urging everyone to monitor their local weather forecasts and use caution on your commute home this evening and Wednesday morning."
New York City issued a soft ban until 10 p.m. on the Henry Hudson Parkway Bridge, RFK Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Crossbay Bridge, Marine Parkway Gill Hodges Memorial Bridge & Verrazano Bridge.
Downed trees or power lines were possible due to damaging thunderstorm winds, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph are possible, especially on the east end of Long Island.
Nassau County was bracing for fierce winds beginning Tuesday at about 2 p.m.
"This will primarily become more of a wind event as the afternoon continues," said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
A storm is moving south to north and bringing heavy rain and flooding for portions of the Tri-State Region. (FOX 5 NY)
Minor coastal flooding was possible, with some flooding of low-lying roads on Tuesday and Wednesday evening high tides. Gale-force winds are likely in ocean waters Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
The heaviest rain occurred Tuesday afternoon. Creeks, small streams, urban areas, and poor drainage areas saw flash flooding. Rainfall rates reached one inch per hour at times.
Coastal New Jersey saw more than four inches of rain from the storm. Central New Jersey saw about five inches of rain and northern New Jersey got more than five inches.
New York City, western Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley saw more than four inches.
Rain totals from Nor'Easter.
Connecticut saw from three to more than four inches of rain.
New York City officials asked people to limit travel and stay inside during periods of severe weather.
"Periods of heavy rain may result in urban flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. During periods of heavy rain, seek higher ground or, if in a basement, move to a higher floor," a Notify NYC alert stated. "City agencies have taken action to clean catch basins and remove street litter in the event heavier rain occurs."
NYC WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS
Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app! | Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters
The storm brought new flooding concerns to areas that had to deal with the remnants of Hurricane Ida that caused widespread flooding across the tristate region.
RELATED: NJ deals with monumental Ida cleanup
New York Storm Timing
- Flash Flood Threat: Monday night into Tuesday evening
- Strong Wind Threat: Late Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night
- Coastal Flooding Threat: High tide cycles Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday
National Weather Service Summary
- Heavy rain with totals of 2 to 4 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible. The heaviest rainfall is expected in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
- Severe thunderstorms with locally damaging winds are possible tonight.
- Minor coastal flooding is possible with the high tides from Tuesday into Wednesday night.
- Hazardous conditions are expected on the coastal waters and Delaware Bay with building seas and gale force winds.
- The possibility of gale force winds on the coastal waters is also high. However, there remains more uncertainty about the threat of damaging wind gusts and minor tidal flooding.
Download the FREE Fox 5 NY weather app and always stay updated on storms.
Apple App Store: https://apple.co/2GrlPnz Google Play Store: http://bit.ly/2IPSlTd
Fox 5 Weather Team on Twitter
- Nick Gregory @NickGregoryFox5
- Mike Woods @MikeWoodsFox5
- Audrey Puente @AudreyPuente
- Raegan Medgie @RaeganMedgie
What is a nor'easter?
A nor'easter is a storm along the East Coast with winds typically arriving from the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. These storms can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and "most violent" between September and April.
Nor'easters usually develop in the latitudes between Georgia and New Jersey, within 100 miles east or west of the East Coast. They typically reach maximum intensity near New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, forecasters say.
These storms nearly always bring precipitation in the form of heavy rain or snow, as well as heavy winds, rough seas and occasional coastal flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
The heavily populated region between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are particularly impacted by nor’easters — which have been responsible for billions of dollars in damage in the past.