The East Coast is currently being battered by a strong Nor’easter storm, with the National Weather Service predicting that New York City and Long Island will face threats of heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and several other regions on the afternoon of the 12th, urging residents to take precautions.
The Nor’easter storm has been affecting the greater New York area since the evening of the 12th, with precipitation expected to bring 1.5 to 3 inches (about 3.8 to 7.6 centimeters) of rainfall until Monday, potentially higher in some areas. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 miles per hour (approximately 97 kilometers per hour), posing risks of tree damage and power outages. The Weather Service has cautioned about significant coastal flooding and beach erosion due to sustained strong winds and high waves.
The New York City Emergency Management Agency has identified southern Brooklyn, the southern shores of Queens, the eastern shoreline of Staten Island, and coastal Bronx as areas most susceptible to flooding. The city government advises residents in low-lying areas to prepare evacuation supplies and move vehicles to higher ground to reduce disaster risks.
The threat is also imminent for the southern coast of Long Island. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has issued a high wind warning and activated an emergency response center.
The National Weather Service has issued coastal flood warnings and high wind alerts for various areas in New York and New Jersey, expecting waves of 12 to 15 feet (about 3.6 to 4.5 meters) to raise tides 2 to 4 feet above normal levels. New Jersey has also declared a state of emergency starting from noon on Sunday.
Governor Hochul announced that the state government has collaborated with utility companies to deploy over 7,000 repair personnel to address potential power outages.
Con Edison has provided instructions for customers to report outages via SMS or their website, along with an Outage Map for real-time outage and repair information. Due to the strong winds, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has cautioned that subway, bus, and tunnel operations may experience delays or interruptions due to the storm, advising the public to avoid non-essential travel on Monday the 13th.
New Yorkers can monitor flood conditions through the FloodNet website and are urged by New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol to develop emergency plans, stay informed about neighborhood updates, and subscribe to the Notify NYC alert system for instant information.
The storm is expected to continue bringing heavy rain and strong winds throughout Monday, gradually weakening by the evening. The city administration reminds coastal communities to guard against coastal erosion, sand dune breaches, follow evacuation orders, and avoid driving through flooded areas risking their safety.