Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding are expected across much of the area, including on the East End, as a “major coastal storm” bears down on the region, according to the National Weather Service. The severe weather forecast for Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning prompted the declaration of a state of emergency in Suffolk by County Executive Ed Romaine Monday night.
A high wind warning has been issued and will be in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday for Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected, the weather service said.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, the weather service said in the warning statement. Widespread power outages are expected, according to the statement. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, the weather service said.
The Riverhead Central School District has canceled all after-school activities and evening events on Tuesday because of the impending storm, Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said in a prerecorded call to parents. Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting was also postponed to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
A coastal flood warning is also in effect for the East End, as well as southwest Suffolk and southern Nassau for widespread moderate flooding in vulnerable areas near the shoreline with the high tide cycles on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
The weather service says the region should expect 2 to 2 1/2 feet, and locally 3 feet of inundation above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. The flooding will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low-lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront will likely become flooded, the weather service said.
The Peconic River high tide at about 11 a.m. Wednesday is forecast to result in moderate flooding, the weather service said.
The coastal flood warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The oceanfront shoreline will likely take a battering with this storm, according to the warning. Large breaking waves of 15 to 20 ft along the oceanfront will result in widespread dune erosion and damage to dune structures, the weather service said. Scattered overwashes are expected, resulting in some flooding of roadways and vulnerable structures behind protective dunes. Isolated breaches or inundation of the barrier island is possible where dune structures have been severely compromised by previous storms.
A storm watch is in effect for the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. Southeast winds at 25 to 35 kts and heavy surf conditions are expected.
To report a downed wire call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911.
PSEG reminds residents that downed wires should always be considered “live.”
Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through the PSEG app or online at psegliny.com/outages.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include information related to the cancelation of after-school district activities.
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