Winds gusting to 60 mph overnight and the potential for localized major coastal flooding along Peconic Bay and the Peconic Riverfront tomorrow morning have prompted high wind and coastal flood warnings from the National Weather Service.
A deepening low pressure system moving into the mid-Atlantic region today will bring southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph tonight across the East End and coastal flooding along the Peconic Bay and the Peconic Riverfront, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
The potential and exact threat areas for localized major coastal flooding — 3 feet above ground —will depend on how much before tomorrow morning’s high tide the easterly storm-force winds subside and if southerly gale-force winds develop by the time of high tide, according to the coastal flood warning statement issued by the National Weather Service this morning.
The intensity and complexity of the situation necessitates preparation for localized major flooding, the statement said.
Roads, parking lots and homes and businesses with basements near the waterfront may be flooded and vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront may become flooded, the weather service said.
Flooding will also extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays.
A coastal flood warning is in effect from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. A high wind warning is in effect from midnight until 10 a.m. Monday.
According to the NWS warning statements:
Breaking waves of 4 to 8 feet across Orient Point may result in beach erosion, wave splashover onto shoreline streets and properties, and minor damage to shorefront structures.
Large breaking waves of 9 to 13 feet will result in significant beach erosion and flooding along the oceanfront. Areas of dune erosion and scattered washovers are likely, resulting in some flooding of roadways and vulnerable structures behind protective dunes.
The National Weather Service forecast says there is a chance of rain and snow early this evening, which will become all rain after 10 p.m. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Temperatures, which will reach a high of near 40 today, will fall to near 36 by 8 p.m. and then rise to around 47 during the remainder of the night, according to the forecast.
It will be windy overnight with an east wind of 14 to 19 mph increasing to 28 to 33 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55-60 mph, the weather service forecast says. Strong winds will remain in the region through the morning on Monday.
The high wind warning statement says: People should avoid being outside and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.
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