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The nor’easter that spent the weekend making itself thoroughly unwelcome (and canceled major events like Global Citizen Festival) isn’t quite finished with New York. Rain is expected to linger through Monday, September 28, while coastal neighborhoods face another round of high-tide flooding.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s state of emergency covers all five New York City boroughs, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island and Westchester County. The declaration lists Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, plus contiguous counties. The order took effect Friday, September 25, and runs through October 25 unless the state changes it sooner. (It simply allows agencies to coordinate their storm response; it doesn’t mean every neighborhood is flooded.)
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For some New Yorkers, though, the water has come uncomfortably close. Coastal flooding hit Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach and Broad Channel in Queens, along with South Beach on Staten Island. Monday morning’s high tide remains a concern for vulnerable waterfront areas. The National Weather Service has also issued coastal flood alerts affecting parts of the city and Long Island through this afternoon, depending on location.
According to NYC Emergency Management, crews were working through more than 1,000 reports of downed trees across the five boroughs late Sunday. A falling tree killed 56-year-old NYCHA worker Leighton Brown in East New York on Saturday. Four people, including two children, were injured when a branch fell at Kelly Park Playground in Brooklyn.
And yes, there is still rain in the forecast. WABC reports that Central Park had received 2.44 inches over the course of the storm by Sunday, while parts of eastern Long Island were nearing four inches. Moderate to heavy rain could continue into Monday, bringing more ponding on roads and localized flooding in low-lying areas. Showers may last until late afternoon or early evening.
If your commute takes you past a flooded street, find another route; water can be deeper than it looks. Give fallen trees and wires plenty of room, too. Monday’s outlook is cloudy, breezy and cool, with a high near 62 degrees. Tuesday should finally bring breaks of sunshine and temperatures around 70—which, after this weekend, qualifies as a pretty good plot twist.