Coastal Flood, Wind Warnings As 'Significant' Storm Heads Toward LI

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Islanders were bracing for a wet and windy Wednesday as a "significant" storm with rain and heavy winds moved into the area, the National Weather Service said.

According to John Cristantello, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, a coastal flood warning is in effect for the high tide cycles, for most of the north and south shores of Long Island, including Peconic and Gardiners Bays, from 2 p.m. Wednesday until noon on Thursday.

Some areas on the northern coast of Nassau County will see that coastal flood warning for a shorter time, from 4 p.m. through 10 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

"It's a significant storm," Cristantello said, with about 2 to 3 inches of rain expected, and sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts of up to 60 miles per hour possible. A wind warning will be in effect through Wednesday night, he said.

Temperatures will remain in the low to mid-40s Wednesday and Wednesday night, with highs in the upper 40s and possibly low 50s on Thursday, Cristantello said.