The predicted nor’easter expected to wallop New York City and the northeastern U.S. this weekend is going to be heavier than previously expected, with both Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul preparing for the storm’s impact on New York.
According to the National Weather Service, rain is expected to start as early as Friday evening, Sept. 25, and continue throughout the weekend, with the heaviest rain likely on Saturday. The forecast now calls for 2 to 3 inches of rain citywide, with some areas reaching a possible 4 to 5 inches where heavier rain repeatedly moves over the same area.
Minor flooding is possible in low-lying drainage areas, on roadways and underpasses, and while widespread flash flooding is not expected at this time, isolated incidents of flash flooding are still possible.
The city will be under a wind advisory starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, with winds expected to kick up to 40 to 50 miles per hour from Friday night into Saturday night before calming down on Sunday. Winds may also be stronger on bridges and elevated roadways and near coastal areas. Strong winds could result in downed trees, potentially causing road blocks and power outages.
Coastal flooding is expected during high tides on Friday night (generally between 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.) and Saturday morning (7:30 – 8:40 a.m.), with moderate coastal flooding possible in southern Queens, including the Rockaways and around Jamaica Bay, and along portions of the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines. There may also be minor to moderate flooding around Flushing Bay and minor flooding near the Battery. Flooding may also close low-lying waterfront roads and damage vehicles parked in flood-prone areas.
“With a significant coastal storm starting to impact New York State, we are actively monitoring the track of the storm and any potential impacts,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge New Yorkers to stay informed, stay prepared, and closely monitor local weather updates as conditions develop over the weekend.”
The storm path for the oncoming nor’easter.Map courtesy of AccuWeather
“The forecast path of this storm has moved closer to our city, and it is bringing more rain and stronger winds with it,” said Mayor Mamdani. “City workers are clearing catch basins, preparing for downed trees and positioning emergency resources in areas that could see coastal flooding. If you’re traveling this weekend, give yourself extra time, check your train, ferry or flight before you head out and stay off low-lying coastal roads around high tide. If you live in a basement apartment, know your way out and be ready to move to a higher floor if conditions become dangerous. Look out for your neighbors, and sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.”
The city has issued a travel advisory starting at 2 p.m on Sept 25 and lasting until the morning of Sunday, Sept. 27. New York City Emergency Management has activated the City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan and is working closely with city and state agencies, utility providers and the National Weather Service to ready the city and position emergency resources.
The state Department of Transportation has prepared 3,375 supervisors and operators available statewide, with regional crews working to prepare for the impending storm. The state’s equipment includes 1404 large dump trucks, 50 loader-grapple attachments, 324 loaders, 20 vacuum trucks with sewer jet, 91 tracked and wheeled excavators, 10 tree crew bucket trucks, 32 traffic signal trucks, 33 water pumps and 96 chippers.
“New Yorkers should prepare for a prolonged period of strong winds along with rain and coastal flooding through much of the weekend,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We are particularly watching the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, especially in the Rockaways, around Jamaica Bay and along the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines. Move your car away from streets that regularly flood, secure anything outside that could become airborne and never drive or walk through floodwater. We are working closely with the NWS and agencies across the city and will keep New Yorkers updated as the forecast changes.”
Sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency alert system, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 or visiting nyc.gov/notifynyc. Basement apartment residents can sign up to receive automated phone call alerts during flooding by visiting nyc.gov/notifynyc and selecting the basement apartment option. For more coastal storm preparedness tips, visit nyc.gov/beready.