Coastal Flooding, High Winds Expected As Mother Nature Slams Long Island With Heavy Rain Thursday

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Islanders are expected to see soggy skies Thursday, with heavy rain, coastal flooding, and high winds in the forecast.

According to Matt Wunsch, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, a coastal hazard message is in effect through Thursday evening for northeastern Suffolk County.

Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level is expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline, with some water on low lying roads and property.

In addition, breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet along the shoreline will result in beach erosion as well as splash over onto shoreline roads and properties; minor damage to shorefront structures is possible, the NWS said.

"Do not drive through flooded roadways," the NWS said.

In addition, there is a hazardous weather outlook in effect across Long Island, the NWS said. "A storm system is expected to impact the area Thursday into Thursday night, bringing a period of moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Total rainfall of 1 to 2 inches can be expected through Thursday night, with locally higher amounts possible. This could lead to nuisance flooding in urban and poor drainage areas. The risk for flash flooding is low and localized."

Easterly wind gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour can be expected on Thursday, likely continuing on Friday as winds go around to the west, the NWS said.

Wunsch added that there is also a brief chance for a thunderstorm Thursday, with brief periods of locally heavy rainfall possible. The rain is expected to move out overnight with high winds of up to 40 miles per hour, closer to the coastline, expected Friday, he said.