Nor’easter Forecast Brings Coastal Flooding Risk to Parts of NYC

Why it matters

A Sept. 24 Gothamist report, citing the National Weather Service, flagged a nor’easter expected to pass southeast of New York City. The system was forecast to make the weekend windy, rainy, gray and cooler than normal, while pushing ocean water inland during high-tide cycles.

The report said rain alone was not expected to cause flooding. Instead, coastal inundation was the principal concern, particularly in Southern Queens and Brooklyn, parts of the Northeast Bronx, Staten Island’s East Shore, and areas along western Long Island Sound.

Weekend outlook

Meteorologist Dave Radell told Gothamist that winds were expected to build on Friday as the storm moved north and strengthened. Peak gusts of 30–40 mph were forecast for Saturday, with the most persistent rain expected from Friday evening through Saturday evening; city totals could reach about an inch.

The forecast could still shift depending on the storm’s track, Radell said. Conditions were expected to improve by Monday, followed by temperatures in the low 70s early the next week.

Coastal precautions

City emergency management urged residents in flood-prone areas to move cars to higher ground before Thursday night’s high tide, around 8 p.m. Officials also reminded residents to secure loose patio items; beaches were expected to see large waves, possible erosion and riptides, prompting caution for beachgoers and boaters.

The report said residents could monitor forecast updates by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.