Weather NYC: Nor'easter threatens coastal flooding, 55 mph winds, 5 inches of rain

New York City and Long Island are bracing for a powerful early-season nor’easter set to cause coastal flooding, damaging winds, and up to 5 inches of rain through the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a string of alerts, including a gale warning, coastal flood watch and advisory, storm warning, high surf advisory, and rip current warning, as the storm strengthens off the East Coast.

Forecasters warn that gusts can reach 55 mph starting Friday, September 25, with sustained winds of 20-25 mph. A wind advisory is in effect from 2:00 p.m. Friday through 6:00 a.m. Saturday for Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens. There’s also a warning of downed tree limbs, scattered power outages, and hazardous travel for trucks and SUVs.

Around 5 inches of rain is also expected in the region, with eastern Long Island expected to see the heaviest totals. Rain starts after 2:00 p.m. Friday and continues through Monday, raising the risk of isolated flash flooding and saturated ground that can topple trees and power lines.

The storm aligns with a full moon and astronomical high tides, threatening flooding on both the North and South Shores. Seas of 14 and 19ft are forecast from Sandy Hook to Montauk, driving severe beach erosion and life-threatening rip currents. 

Low-lying waterfront roads, parking lots, and basements could flood, with numerous road closures likely. Conditions are expected to ease by Monday, September 28.