Heavy rain and gusty winds battered the city overnight Sunday, leaving thousands of residents without power and major roads closed as the harsher weather is expected to continue into Monday morning.
The rains began Sunday night and intensified overnight. Up to 2 inches of rain was forecast to fall with possible wind gusts of over 50 mph.
The National Weather Service put out an advisory early Monday about what to expect.
“(Monday 1:00 am) Winds are intensifying as the coastal storm moves up the coast. Steady rain is sometimes falling heavily and could cause flooding.
“?Maximum winds between 3am and 9am this morning, gusts may exceed 60mph along the coast.
“? Please report any reports of flood or wind damage!” the notice reads.
(Mon 1:00 am) Winds are picking up as the coastal storm tracks up the coast. Steady rain falls heavy at times and could lead to flooding.
?Peak winds between 3 am and 9 am this morning, gusts may exceed 60 mph along the coast.
? Please relay any flood or wind damage reports! pic.twitter.com/TGkNAHyfxf
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) December 18, 2023
Early Monday morning, the city, for its part, put out a notice on social media about some of the effects of the strong winds.
“High winds: Verrazzano Bridge closed in both directions in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Consider alternative routes. Multilingual and ASL link: “wrote the city’s Notifications system.
High Winds: Verrazzano Bridge closed in both directions in Staten Island & Brooklyn. Consider alt routes. Multilingual & ASL Link:
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) December 18, 2023
Another notice was later placed about the bridge reopening.
Update: Verrazzano Bridge reopening. There will be consequent delays.
— NotifyNYCEspañol (@NNYCSpanish) December 18, 2023
Coastal and road flooding, strong winds and downpours are expected to persist through the morning.
Flash Flood Warning includes New City NY, Fair Lawn NJ, Spring Valley NY until 10:15 AM EST pic.twitter.com/oB8nNtlXs4
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) December 18, 2023
A travel advisory is in effect until noon. Wind advisories have been issued for Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island, and a high wind watch is in effect for Brooklyn and Queens through Monday morning.
“The travel advisory is still in effect for New York City. We have a couple thousand customers reporting power outages, flooding on roads and high winds on bridges.
“Please continue to take precautions,” reads a social media message from the city’s Emergency Management office.
Travel Advisory remains in effect for the City of New York. We have a couple of thousand customers reporting power outages, flooding conditions on roads, and high winds on bridges.
Please continue to take precautions.
?Updates: pic.twitter.com/NrfsuIInBm
— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) December 18, 2023
Flood-prone areas should also be alert for possible flooding due to heavy rain.
A flood watch was issued for all five boroughs through Monday afternoon, and southern Queens is under a coastal flood warning.
