Coastal Storm Brings Heavy Rain and Flood Threat to New York City
New York City and the Northeast are bracing for a powerful coastal storm that is dumping heavy rain and threatening to cause widespread flooding. The storm, which began early Friday, has prompted officials to issue a travel advisory and warn residents of potentially dangerous conditions.
As of 2 a.m. ET, flash flooding was ongoing or expected in several New York counties, including Nassau, Queens, and Kings, which includes Brooklyn. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for these areas, indicating heavy rainfall detected by radar. The flood threat is impacting approximately 25 million people across the Northeast, with the New York tri-state area facing a Level 3 out of 4 “moderate” risk for flash flooding.
Intense rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and possibly more in isolated areas, are expected, posing a significant risk to the morning commute. Roads and subway stations are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding, and officials are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid flooded roadways.
In response to the flood threat, New York City officials have issued a travel advisory starting at 4 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. ET Saturday, warning of potentially “widespread travel impacts” during the morning commute. NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol urges residents to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding and advises using public transportation if necessary.
Meanwhile, neighboring cities such as Philadelphia and Boston could also see significant rainfall, with up to 2 inches expected. In some areas, rainfall totals may reach between 5 and 8 inches. The potential flood threat is of particular concern in New York City, where basement flooding caused by remnants of Hurricane Ida led to fatal consequences in 2021.
Despite the flood threat, New York City subways will remain operational, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA plans to keep all services at its more than 470 stations running, although some impacts to service are anticipated. The MTA has taken precautions by installing drain covers and deploying pump trains and crews to strategic locations throughout the transit system. Additional buses will be on standby to provide supplemental service if necessary.
The storm is expected to persist through Friday, with the heaviest rainfall ending Saturday morning. The flooding impacts could be exacerbated by the final supermoon of the year, which will occur on Friday morning. The supermoon typically leads to more extreme tidal cycles, increasing the flood risk along the East Coast.
Coastal flood advisories extend more than 300 miles along the East Coast, from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Virginia Beach. Low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways could experience up to a foot of inundation above ground level, according to the National Weather Service.
Residents are advised to stay informed of the latest updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this significant weather event.