Long Island Weather: Nor & # 39; easter causes coastal flooding and heavy rains



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The first northern wave of the season hit Long Island on Saturday morning, causing widespread, widespread coastal flooding in some communities on the south coast – and localized and major floods in some areas, forecasters said.

The Long Island Rail Road reported that flooding on the tracks near the Island Park station resulted in the temporary suspension of service in both directions on the Long Beach branch.

According to locals and officials, there were several feet of water along some parts of the Nautical Mile in the village of Freeport before noon Saturday.

"This is the largest amount of water we have since Sandy," said Mayor Robert T. Kennedy. This village was one of the hardest hit areas of Long Island by the super-storm Sandy in 2012.

The National Weather Service reported that tide levels reached 7.15 feet at Freeport – considered a "major flood stage", with Point Lookout and East Rockaway falling just below the "major" threshold , forecasters said.

The weather service announced on Twitter at approximately 10:30 that it had received a report of widespread tidal flooding at Island Park, with water about 3 feet deep at an intersection.

Robert Feuring, owner of Sea Isle Tackle on Guy Lombardo Avenue in Freeport, said he had about 3 feet of water in front of his building, but that this one is not entered the store.

The water began to rise around 9:30 am and was withdrawn at noon, Feuring said.

"It was not the first we went through," he said of the storm. "It's not common, but we've seen a lot. It usually takes a major hurricane to see the damage in the area. "

Feuring had 4 feet of water in his store during the Super Storm Sandy. Since then, he has had the electrical boxes raised, and everything important, such as computers, is out of reach of potential sources of flooding, he said.

Nassau's water levels began to drop on Saturday afternoon, but they are still rising in Suffolk County, near Amityville, Lindenhurst, Babylon and Islip, where communities are expected to be flooded, said the meteorologist of the National Meteorological Service Nelson Vaz. .

"It's one of the highest values ​​in our Northeast," said Vaz. "We have not seen these levels for two years. It's nothing close to Sandy, but it comes from a combination of high winds and a full moon earlier this week, which created high tides. "

Water levels were still rising on the north coast of Long Island Strait in areas such as Asharoken, Bayville, Port Jefferson and Port Washington. Flooding on the north coast is expected to be less extensive but could result in floods of 2 to 3 feet.

Heavy rains and high winds have also been a problem for the Northeast, which has prompted Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to lead the regional emergency operations centers, as well as regional stockpiles. emergency on Long Island and in other parts of the state affected by the conflict. storm, to stay activated and staffed.

Forty-eight Ministry of Transportation personnel have been deployed to Long Island and the Central Valley of Hudson, Cuomo's office said in a press release.

According to Peter Wichrowski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Upton, about half an inch of rain fell on 7:15. A total of 1 to 2 inches was to fall all day.

News 12 Long Island meteorologist Bruce Avery described it as a "rainy day", and concerns were expressed about power outages due to falling branches during the storm.

According to PSEG Long Island, fewer than 1,500 clients were affected in Nassau County and about 5,500 in Suffolk County, reported shortly before 1 pm. There have also been delays at LaGuardia and Kennedy airports in Queens, the Federal Aviation Administration reported.

A strong wind warning is in effect for East Suffolk until 5 pm and a wind warning is in effect until 5 pm. Saturday in Nassau and West Suffolk, according to the meteorological service. The service issued inshore flood warnings all over the island Saturday afternoon, as well as a coastal flood warning during the night along the south coast, from 22h. at 2 o'clock on Sunday. There is a high surf rating for the south shore until 14:00. Sunday.

A storm warning is in effect for rough seas in ocean waters until 4 pm. and east of Long Island Sound until 6 pm, said the meteorological service. There is gale for the west Long Island Sound until 18 hours.

In Freeport, the village had crews in army vehicles to access flooded areas, and the police are "at work as usual," Kennedy said. "There is nothing unusual today other than the flood of water on the streets"

The village also sent automated calls to residents, asking them to move their cars to municipal parking lots. Parking for people with disabilities is still in effect, but the meters will be suspended until Sunday afternoon, allowing residents to park for free on the heights, Kennedy said.

"It's not so bad, but we have to solve this problem once and for all, which is why I pushed the surge barrier," he said. The village is currently working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to determine if it is feasible to place flood gates near Jones Inlet and the Reynolds Canal, Kennedy said.

Rain should subside and become intermittent in the afternoon and in the evening, Wichrowski said.

Northeast winds could result in gusts exceeding 50 mph, he said, particularly to the Twin Forks. The winds should decrease a little Saturday night.

Maximum wind gusts were recorded at 100 km / h in Shinnecock and Bayville, the service announced.

High temperatures are expected to be between 50 and 50, with nightly minimums in the 40, he said.

As the coastal storm moves north into New England, a partially sunny sky will return Sunday, said Wichrowski.

Runners attending the Suffolk County Marathon Sunday will have a "much more enjoyable but cool day," said Avery. Sunday will be mostly dry with late morning and afternoon sunshine and high temperatures again in the 50 to 50 years, said Wichrowski.

With Stefanie Dazio

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