Approaching nor’easter causes downtown flooding, with worst storm conditions expected this evening

The nor-easter moving toward Long Island already caused significant flooding in downtown Riverhead during this morning’s high tide — even though the rain had not yet begun.

The Peconic River swelled and crested over the bulkhead in downtown Riverhead during this morning’s high tide, which arrived at about 9 a.m. The river flooded Heidi Behr Way and a portion of the parking lot on the south side of East Main Street, as well as properties on West Main Street from Peconic Avenue to Osborn Avenue.

Riverhead police closed Heidi Behr Way to traffic due to the flooding shortly before the 8 o’clock high tide this morning. Though the floodwaters receded by about 1:30 this afternoon, police left barricades up and kept the roadway closed in anticipation of another inundation with tonight’s high tide.

The more severe flooding is supposed to occur during tonight’s high tide, which will come at about 8:30 p.m. High tides at 3 to 4 feet above astronomical tides will cause moderate coastal flooding along the eastern bays during tonight’s high tides, according to a coastal flood warning issued this morning by the National Weather Service. There is potential for widespread flooding of vulnerable shore roads and adjacent properties due to the height of the storm tide and wave action, according to the warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The coastal flood warning remains in effect until 9 p.m.

All local school districts canceled after-school and evening activities today.  There was a smattering of other cancellations as well. See list. 

The South Fork is bracing for a hard hit. Hurricane force winds are expected over the waters off Long Island’s south shore. The National Weather Service says seas on the ocean will peak at 20-22 feet later today, 9-12 feet east of Orient.

A tree fell on a parked car in South Jamesport late this morning.

As the winds picked up this afternoon, power outages began to be reported across Long Island. As of 4 p.m., PSEG reported more than 6,300, customers without power on the island. There were 206 customers without power in Riverhead, according to the PSEG outage map. 

With wind gusts forecast to reach as high as 65 mph, PSEG is preparing to respond to utility line damage across the East End. Dozens of utility trucks are parked at Riverhead Center, waiting to be deployed if necessary.

Any downed wire should be treated as if it is a live electric wire, according to PSEG, which says all downed wires should be reported immediately by phone to PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0075.

“Do not drive over a downed wire and stay away from it and anything it has contacted. If a wire falls on or near your car, stay inside the car, call 911 and do not get out until PSEG Long Island cuts the power,” the utility said.

Report a power outage with a text message and receive status updates by text and/or email. Sign up now by texting REG to PSEGLI (773454). An outage can be reported by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454).