Major Storm Set To Bring Heavy Rain, 70 MPH Winds To LI: NWS

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Islanders are preparing for a major storm to hit the area with drenching rains and high winds Tuesday night into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

According to Bryan Ramsey, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office at Upton, a flash flood watch is in effect for poor drainage areas across Long Island for Tuesday night into Wednesday, with 2 to 2.5 inches of rain expected, falling about a half inch to three quarters of an inch per hour.

Long Island will begin to see impacts from the storm Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the strongest impacts and heaviest rains and wind from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected to begin Tuesday, with winds gusts of 55 to 60 miles per hour and up to 70 miles per hour, Ramsey said.

Temperatures Tuesday are expected to be in the low 50s to upper 40s Tuesday night.

With the amount of rain expected, coupled with strong winds and wet soil, Long Islanders should be prepared for toppled trees and power outages, he said.

Widespread to moderate coastal flooding is expected for most of Long Island, with major coastal flooding possible along the Great South Bay Wednesday morning, Ramsey said. Widespread dune erosion and scattered overwashes along the oceanfront areas also expected Wednesday, he said.