Flood Watch In Effect For Long Island Wednesday

LONG ISLAND, NY — Mother Nature is set to sock Long Island with some heavy rain Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, a flood warning is in effect, as a coastal low is expected to bring moderate to heavy rain Wednesday night through Thursday morning — with a total of 2 to 3 inches expected, and higher totals possible.

Peak rainfall of about 1 inch per hour is expected from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday.

Widespread minor urban, poor drainage flooding is likely Wednesday night into Thursday, the NWS said. Minor flooding is also be possible along several quick responding small rivers, streams, and creeks. The threat of flash flooding is localized.

According to the NWS, soil moisture is running 60 to 80 percent above normal, with a majority of area rivers and stream flows running above, to much-above, normal. "This will allow for rainfall to more quickly become runoff and flooding. Each successive rain event will further elevate soil moisture and stream flows, increasing the urban and river flood threat," the NWS said.

The weekend could also bring more rain to Long Island, with the potential for an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain, the NWS said. Minor coastal flooding will be possible during the times of high tide Thursday night into the weekend, the NWS said.