New York, NY – Waterfront neighborhoods across New York City and Long Island could see up to 3 feet of coastal flooding above ground level Sunday night, as a powerful coastal storm drives surge and heavy snow into the region through 10 a.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in New York, a Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for Sunday night’s high tide cycle. Forecasters warn of widespread moderate flooding of 1 to 2 feet above ground, with locally higher inundation possible in vulnerable areas of southern Queens, Staten Island’s East Shore and along the South Shore of Long Island. Water may cover roadways, flood parking lots and push into basements near the waterfront.
The flooding threat will peak between late Sunday night and early Monday morning, when strong northeast winds of 30 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph, pile water into back bays and shorelines. Ice in harbors could worsen impacts along the Hudson River and Long Island Sound-facing communities.
Heavy snow of 10 to 14 inches, falling at rates up to 2 inches per hour, will develop at the same time, potentially clogging storm drains and slowing water runoff. Roads near Long Beach, Freeport, Islip, Red Hook and Lower Manhattan could become impassable due to a combination of surge and snowfall.
Residents in flood-prone zones should move vehicles to higher ground before 7 p.m. Sunday, clear storm drains if safe, and prepare for scattered power outages. Additional flood or blizzard warnings may be issued as conditions intensify overnight.
