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NYC Under Flash Flood Watch As Heavy Rains, Scattered Thunderstorms Approach
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 23, 2021
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By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 23, 2021
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Summer is officially over, but severe weather alerts aren't done with the New York City just yet.
The region is once again under a flash flood watch, with scattered thunderstorms and as much as 1 inch of rain per hour expected to fall between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Up to three inches of rainfall may occur.
The heaviest rain could arrive at 6 p.m. this evening and last through the overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service. Damaging wind gusts of nearly 60 miles per hour are also possible, along with an isolated tornado.
New York City's Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory beginning on Thursday and activated the city's flash flood emergency plan.
“The City is still working to recover Ida, and we want to ensure that New Yorkers are ready. New Yorkers should prepare for possible thunderstorms that can cause strong wind gusts and moderate rainfall,” NYC Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani said in a statement.
A flash flood watch has also been issued for these New Jersey counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. (A flash flood watch means that "conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible," according to the National Weather Service, whereas a flash flood warning means flooding is "imminent or occurring.")
Forecasters warned of some uncertainty as to the speed that the cold front moves across the region; a slower-moving front could increase the flood risk, as New Yorkers learned during the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Henri and the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
The back-to-back storms broke several rainfall records across the region, and left behind a trail of doubt about the city's ability to handle more frequent and intense storms due to climate change.
Some parts of the city are still saturated from recent deluges, putting them at greater risk of flooding. The city's website warns: "If you live in a basement apartment, be prepared to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain."
The storm is expected to push out the current wave humidity, allowing for cooler and drier air over the weekend.
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new york city
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flash flood
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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