New York, NY – Residents along Long Island’s south shore face dangerous surf and flooding as powerful swells and high tides combine to create life-threatening conditions through Friday night. Road closures, beach erosion, and flooded neighborhoods are expected as waves build up to 16 feet and water levels rise several feet above normal.
According to the National Weather Service, a Coastal Flood Warning goes into effect at 5 p.m. Thursday for southwest Suffolk and southern Nassau counties, lasting until early Friday morning. Additional flood advisories extend into Friday night, with as much as two and a half feet of water expected above ground level in low-lying areas. Officials warn of widespread flooding near the waterfront, inundating streets, parking lots, and homes with basements close to the shoreline.
The threat extends to beaches from Fire Island to Atlantic Beach, where dune erosion and overwash are likely during successive high tides. Life-threatening rip currents remain a major concern, with the surf zone considered unsafe even for experienced swimmers. Officials urge residents to stay out of the water, avoid parking in flood-prone areas, and use caution near the shoreline.
Warnings remain in place through late Friday, with conditions slowly easing into the weekend as wave heights subside.
