New York declares emergency ahead of weekend coastal storm

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in four counties as a powerful coastal storm threatens the region with heavy rain, flooding and strong winds through the weekend.

The emergency declaration covers Nassau, Suffolk, New York and Westchester counties, Hochul said on X.

“A prolonged period of heavy rain, coastal flooding and strong winds will impact parts of New York through the weekend.

The most significant impacts are expected along the coast from later tonight through Sunday.

Stay dry. Stay alert. Stay safe.

For real-time weather and emergency alerts, text 333-111 with your county or borough name, and continue monitoring local forecasts and warnings,” she wrote.

Tidal flooding reached moderate flood stage late Friday and was expected to rise again ahead of Saturday’s high tide at about 8 a.m. Buoys off the Jersey Shore and southern New England have recorded waves of at least 16 feet.

Coastal flood alerts stretch from eastern Virginia to southern Maine, covering areas including Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, New York City, New London, Providence and Boston. Moderate to major flooding is possible during Saturday morning’s high tide from the southern Chesapeake Bay through the Jersey Shore and into Raritan Bay, while lesser flooding is possible farther north and along parts of southern coastal New England.

Wind advisories cover the Delmarva Peninsula through eastern Massachusetts, including Dover, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford and Worcester, with gusts of up to 45 mph. High wind warnings are in force along the Jersey Shore and in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including Boston, Providence and Atlantic City, where gusts could reach 60 mph and potentially bring down trees and power lines.

The storm is also expected to generate waves of 6 to 12 feet or higher along coastal Delmarva, the Jersey Shore, Long Island and southeastern New England, creating dangerous surf and widespread beach erosion.

National Weather Service advisories confirm ongoing coastal-flood, high-surf and wind hazards across parts of New York and the Northeast through the weekend.

By Tamilla Hasanova