New York City Braces For Storms, Strong Winds Thursday

NEW YORK CITY — New York City residents are urged to take precautions Thursday as a storm system threatens to bring rain, high winds, hail and a chance of isolated tornadoes to the area.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said he has pre-deployed assets ahead of the storms, which that are expected to drop downpours in some areas and bring with it wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour.

The worst of the storm is expected between 3 and 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Teams from the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Thruway Authority and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation are standing by with thousands of pieces of machinery should they be needed to clear debris and make repairs.

The potentially severe weather comes as the convergence of a storm system from the Great Lakes area and the remnants of Hurricane Laura making its way northeast toward the Atlantic coast, Cuomo said in a news release.

New York City's Office of Emergency Management urges residents to prepare for power outages and to secure any outdoor objects that could be affected by strong winds including garbage cans, lawn items and outdoor furniture.

In advance of possible power outages, residents are also reminded to charge cell phone batteries, gather flashlights and battery-operated radios and turn refrigerators and freezers to colder settings.

The Office of Emergency Management said residents should never approach downed power lines or use generators indoors and should call 911 if an emergency occurs.

“New Yorkers are advised to limit travel and stay inside during periods of severe weather. If you are outside during a thunderstorm, avoid open areas and try to seek shelter indoors,” NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said in part in a statement.

Cuomo said state authorities are also monitoring the remnants of Hurricane Laura as it makes its way toward the Tri-State area.

"Our emergency response teams are monitoring these storms around the clock and we're urging New Yorkers to be prepared for severe weather starting Thursday and limit any unnecessary travel," Cuomo said in a statement. "We are tracking Hurricane Laura, as well, as it approaches Texas and Louisiana and could potentially bring heavy rains to New York late in the weekend."

No active watches or warnings have been issued for the New York City area as of Thursday afternoon, but special weather statements warn residents in a number of counties about the possibility of storms. You can track active warnings and watches as they're issued through the National Weather Service.