Nor'easter Slams LI: What To Know For Weekend

LONG ISLAND, NY — As the first nor'easter batters Long Island, residents can expect to see the worst of the impacts Saturday into Sunday, the National Weather Service said.

According to Bill Goodman, meteorologist with the NWS office in Upton, the greatest hazards posed include coastal flooding with the upcoming high tides, which will be "a big problem for some spots," he said.

Area where the most serious flooding are expected include the Great South Bay, areas in western Suffolk and Nassau County, and the west end of the Peconic Bay in Riverhead, where the winds are funneling into the bay and water is "piling up," he said.

"These are areas where more significant coastal flooding usually takes place and where we can expect to see major flooding this morning — at the big problem spots," Goodman said.

Beaches on the South Fork, heading toward Montauk, including Napeague, can also expect major flooding, he said.

Significant beach erosion on Dune Road is also a concern, as well as washovers on the Fire Island barrier islands, he said.

A coastal flood warning is in effect for all shores of Long Island through daytime Sunday, during multiple high tide cycles and bringing moderate to major flooding, Goodman said.

As for wind, so far, there has been a report of winds gusting up to 61 miles per hour in Farmingdale, Goodman said; gusts of 45 to 55 mph, and up to 60 mph, are expected through Sunday, he said, with the highest winds expected on the North Shore and East End of Long Island.

"The worst of the storm," is expected Saturday, with multiple rounds of coastal flooding into Sunday, he said.

The heaviest of the rainfall will come in the form of bands of moderate to locally heavy rain overnight Saturday, he said.

"The center of the storm is still over Virginia," Goodman said. "We've got a long way to go. It won't rain all the time, but when it does rain, it will come down hard Saturday night and into Sunday."

Rainfall totals of at least 3 inches, and up to 5 inches, are expected, Goodman said.

Residents should use caution if driving, especially in high profile vehicles, Goodman said. "The wind lets you know that it's there — and you'd better pay attention," he said.

For those who had travel plans this weekend, Goodman said Saturday is definitely not the day to head up but conditions could ease by Sunday. "People should have left yesterday," Goodman said.