Severe Storm To Wallop The HV With Rain, Snow, High Winds, Heavy Seas

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A strong storm system will drench the region Tuesday into Wednesday with rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and high winds and will cause widespread urban, coastal and river flooding, forecasters warn.

"As winds howl, temperatures surge and rain pours down, dangerous to life-threatening conditions will unfold due to rapid flooding and falling trees from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

The storm will possibly begin as snow before turning to all rain.

Coastal, tidal and inland flooding

The rain, combined with a snowpack across portions of the area and saturated ground everywhere, will lead to rapid runoff into and flooding of rivers, creeks and streams. The storm will bring heavy seas and coastal flooding as well.

Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties are under flood watches from Tuesday evening into Wednesday afternoon. Southern Westchester is also under a coastal flood advisory from 7 p.m. to noon Wednesday.

"Inundation of structures and roads, evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations is likely along several rivers," the National Weather Service said.

Minor to moderate flooding is likely along quick-responding small rivers and streams, particularly in Rockland and Westchester counties, including the Bronx, Saw Mill and Hutchinson. New Jersey has already declared a state of emergency. Moderate flooding is possible for the Wallkill at Gardiner. Higher than normal tidal flooding is expected along the Hudson River and its tributaries from around the Poughkeepsie to Kingston area.

Rivers are likely to remain elevated into Thursday.

Breaking waves of 3 to 5 ft in the western Long Island Sound during the evening high tide may result in beach erosion, and wave splash-over onto shoreline roads and properties. Wave action should subside to 2 to 3 ft for the Wednesday morning high tide.

Widespread minor flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect around 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront will experience shallow flooding. Heavy rain during this evening high tide will likely exacerbate urban and poor drainage flood issues for coastal and shoreline roads.

Waves of 4-9 feet are expected on Long Island Sound.

Freshwater runoff coinciding with the Wednesday morning high tide will exacerbate street and property flooding issues along tidal reaches of rivers in Westchester.

Surge up the Hudson River with the Wednesday morning high tide will likely cause minor flooding for low-lying riverfront communities in Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam counties. Higher than normal tidal flooding is also expected along its tributaries from around Poughkeepsie to Kingston in areas vulnerable to tidal flooding.

Metro-North crews will be especially focused on the northern portions of its territory, which in some areas received up to a foot of snow over the weekend.

Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.

Wind

A high wind warning has been issued for Southern Westchester County from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern Westchester are under a high wind advisory, as are Dutchess and Ulster counties, where the strongest wind gusts will occur in higher terrain areas, and along north and west facing slopes.

Sustained 25-35 mph winds with gusts of 40-70 mph are possible. The impact could be numerous downed tree branches, scattered downed trees and power lines. Southeast wind direction and saturated soils may increase the impacts. Power outages are likely in all coastal communities including New York City, the NWS said.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels will implement a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday The ban is expected to be in place until 6 p.m., Wednesday.

Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) is preparing to mobilize its emergency response workforce Tuesday night to repair potential damage and restore possible power outages that could result from strong gusty winds, heavy rainfall and localized, inland flooding throughout the region between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday.

"This severe storm could pose a significant threat to electric service because its associated high, gusty winds could contribute to downing trees, tree limbs and overhead electric lines," Orange and Rockland Utilities officials said.

For safety’s sake, don't touch or approach any downed wire. Assume the wire is energized and dangerous. Call your utility company. Depending on the situation, you may also consider calling your local police to divert traffic from the downed wire’s location until a crew arrives.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Snow and ice

Moderate to possible heavy snow in the eastern Catskills may lead to hazardous travel due to
snow covered roads and poor visibilities. The weight of the wet snow combined with the very strong winds will lead to an increase risk of power outages.

Hudson Valley Weather warned of another hazard at the beginning of the storm: where temperatures are near freezing, roads and other surfaces may be below freezing and icing may be occurring. "Again we are being extra cautious on this threat but with school in session and afternoon commutes at risk it’s important to stay tuned and stay aware of changing conditions," Alex Marra of Hudson Valley Weather said on Facebook.