Powerful Wind Gusts, Heavy Rain Predicted for Wednesday Night

Be careful out there tonight, or better yet stay in.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning with predictions of wind guts strong enough to bring down whole trees.

Between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, the NWS predicts sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph.

Because they are also predicting heavy rains of 1-to-2 inches, the winds could bring down whole trees as well as large limbs, the NWS warns.

Neighborhoods with century-old trees such as in Brooklyn and Queens are particularly at risk. During Superstorm Sandy two people were killed in Ditmas Park when winds brought down a tree on a couple out walking their dog.

The NWS has also issued a flash flood warning for the same period, warning that the downpour could reach 1 inch an hour, leading to flash floods in areas with poor drainage or small streams.

Residents should bring in or tie down patio furniture and other unsecured items. And avoid driving, especially in higher vehicles such as SUVs on bridges and elevated roads.