STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Grab your umbrellas.
A flash flood watch is in effect for New York City, including Staten Island, from Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon due to a coastal storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS said a rapidly developed low-pressure system south of Long Island will likely produce heavy rainfall across the region.
The flash flood watch is in effect from 8 p.m. Monday until 5 p.m. Tuesday. The alert was also issued for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, as well as other areas in Connecticut, northeast New Jersey, and southeast New York.
In addition to prolonged periods of rain, the coastal system will also bring the potential for localized flash flooding, strong winds, coastal flooding, and beach erosion. The National Weather Service said there is uncertainty with regards to track and intensity of the storm, along with locations of heaviest rainfall, the magnitude of wind gusts, and the extent of coastal flooding.
A track closer to the coast may bring higher rain totals and stronger winds further inland, while a track offshore would bring lower rain totals and keep strongest winds along the immediate coast.
Rainfall totals are predicted to anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, but locally higher amounts are possible. Rainfall rates may exceed one inch per hour at times, the service added.
That heavy rain may produce areas of flash flooding.
Excessive runoff from rainfall may cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, as well as other poor drainage or low-lying spots, the city’s Notify NYC alert stated.
Strong wind gusts up to 30-to-45 miles per hour are possible during the storm from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, especially along the coast. The gusts can bring down trees and power lines. There is also mainly minor coastal flooding predicted, with beach erosion possible, according to the service.
A flash flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t mean that flooding will occur, but it’s possible, the NWS says. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It’s possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain, according to the service.
You should not drive your vehicle or walk into areas where water covers the roadway as the water depth may be too great to allow you to cross safely. If you lose power and have a disability or access needs, or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, dial 911, Notify NYC says.
To prepare, the NWS urges residents to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should a flash flood warning be issued. A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. Folks in a flood-prone area should move immediately to high ground.
FORECAST FOR STATEN ISLAND
According to the National Weather Service, rain is possible on Staten Island starting mainly between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday. A 20% chance of light rain is possible Monday after 2 p.m.
After 7 p.m. on Monday night, a chance of rain and thunderstorms are possible that can produce heavy rainfall — with 1 and 2 inches of rain possible.
Rain is likely to continue on Tuesday, with new precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
More rain showers are predicted on Tuesday evening between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Staten Island won’t feel a reprieve from the wet weather until Thursday, when the forecast shows a mostly sunny outlook and a high of 60 degrees. Rain could return to the borough on Friday and Saturday.
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