The nor'easter forecasted for Long Island has struck bringing heavy rain that is causing flooding and high winds resulting in scattered power outages.
While East Meadow and Salisbury will not deal with any direct coastal impacts, sporadic power outages are affecting the area, according to PSEG-Long Island's power map.
Power has been restored to more than 34,600 PSEG-Long Island customers affected by the storm since early morning Friday, utility officials said. The storm has downed trees, branches and wires across the coverage areas. As of press time, 19 trees were down in the Town of Hempstead, officials said.
For live updates, visit MyPowerMap.psegliny.com.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declated a state of emergency for both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
On Saturday, she had a strong warning for people going into or near the water as she said it is, "literally gambling with their life."
A coastal flood warning is in effect through Saturday evening. The coastal flood warning calls for 1 to 2 feet of inundation in vulnerable locations.
Flooding has affected roads, parking lots, parks, lawns and homes and businesses with basements near the waterfront. There are power outages across Long Island from the North to South shores and and to the tip of Montauk. Beach flooding and erosion are likely through the weekend.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said waves seven- to 10-feet have resulted in substantial erosion from Fire Island To Montauk. Emergency Medical service and fire calls are double compared to an average day, Romaine added.
"Dedicated county employees are working the phones, handling this and following this storm very carefully," he said.
The weather service is warning that life-threatening rip currents are likely for anyone entering the surf zone. Beachgoers are advised to stay out of the surf, as rip currents can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.
Those who must travel should allow extra time and be prepared for possible road closures. Motorists should not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
"This will be a moderate to heavy rain, and it will be a sustained rain," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at Friday news conference, held in conjunction with Suffolk County officials in Yaphank. "What the National Weather Service has briefed us on is they expect that it will be a continual rain, up to probably 5-inches. The wind will be at a sustained 30 to 35 miles an hour, with gusts that could exceed 50. We're talking about a lot of wind."
Residents in flood-prone areas are also advised to take steps to protect their property.
Blakeman said areas of concern in Nassau County are communities along the South Shore, from Atlantic Beach to East Rockaway to Massapequa. More severe weather effects are expected in Long Beach, Lido Beach and Freeport. Some North Shore communities are expected to experience moderate effects, primarily Port Washington and Bayville.
He recommended that people charge their phones and battery packs in the event of power outages. Electric vehicles are susceptible to fire if they get wet, Blakeman said, and he recommended moving cars off the street or to higher ground.
Neither Nassau nor Suffolk County is anticipating evacuations, either voluntary or mandatory, but asked that residents who live in coastal communities remain vigilant. If Nassau County calls for evacuations, residents should go to Nassau Community College. Homeless people will be able to shelter at the old family courthouse in Westbury, Blakeman added.
“PSEG Long Island is the most reliable overhead electric service provider in New York State, and we are prepared to respond to any outages the storm may bring,” Michael Sullivan, vice president of Electric Operations at PSEG Long Island, said in a news release “We continue to monitor this weather system and have performed system and logistic checks to ensure any customers who may be affected will have their power restored safely and as quickly as possible.”
Text 333-111 for realtime updates.
