Mayor Mamdani Issues Travel Advisory as Nor’easter Tracks Closer to New York City

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) today issued a Travel Advisory from Friday, September 25 at 2 p.m. through the morning of Sunday, September 27 as a nor’easter is expected to bring rain, strong winds and coastal flooding to New York City.

The National Weather Service (NWS) this afternoon updated the storm’s expected track farther west and closer to New York City. Current forecasts now call for 2 to 3 inches of rain citywide, up from approximately 1 to 1.5 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Wind gusts are now expected to reach 40 to 50 mph, with the strongest winds from Friday night through Saturday night.

Coastal flooding is expected during the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides. Moderate coastal flooding is possible in southern Queens, including the Rockaways and around Jamaica Bay, and along portions of the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines. Minor to moderate flooding is possible around Flushing Bay, with minor flooding expected near the Battery.

“The forecast path of this storm has moved closer to our city, and it is bringing more rain and stronger winds with it,” said Mayor Mamdani. “City workers are clearing catch basins, preparing for downed trees and positioning emergency resources in areas that could see coastal flooding. If you’re traveling this weekend, give yourself extra time, check your train, ferry or flight before you head out and stay off low-lying coastal roads around high tide. If you live in a basement apartment, know your way out and be ready to move to a higher floor if conditions become dangerous. Look out for your neighbors, and sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.”

“New Yorkers should prepare for a prolonged period of strong winds along with rain and coastal flooding through much of the weekend,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We are particularly watching the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, especially in the Rockaways, around Jamaica Bay and along the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines. Move your car away from streets that regularly flood, secure anything outside that could become airborne and never drive or walk through floodwater. We are working closely with the NWS and agencies across the city and will keep New Yorkers updated as the forecast changes.”

Rain is expected to begin as early as Friday evening and continue throughout the weekend, with the heaviest rain likely Saturday and potentially beginning early Saturday morning. Localized rainfall totals of 4 to 5 inches are possible where heavier rain repeatedly moves over the same area, particularly if the storm tracks farther west. Minor flooding is possible on roadways, underpasses and in low-lying or poor-drainage areas. Widespread flash flooding is not currently expected, though isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out.

A Wind Advisory is in effect beginning at 2 p.m. Friday. Winds will increase Friday afternoon, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph expected from Friday night through Saturday night before gradually easing Sunday. Winds may be stronger on bridges, elevated roadways and exposed coastal areas. With trees still in full leaf and the ground becoming increasingly saturated, strong winds may bring down trees, tree limbs and power lines, potentially causing blocked roads and power outages.

Coastal flooding is expected around the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, generally between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday and between 7:30 and 8:40 a.m. Saturday, depending on location. Flooding may close low-lying waterfront roads and damage vehicles parked in flood-prone areas. Additional minor coastal flooding may be possible during subsequent high tides.

A high risk of rip currents and dangerous surf is expected through the weekend. City beaches closed for the season on Sunday, September 13, and lifeguards are no longer on duty. Swimming is not permitted.

NYCEM has activated the City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan and is coordinating closely with the NWS, City and State agencies, utility providers and other partners to ready the city and position emergency resources. Agencies are working with businesses and contractors to secure construction sites and outdoor locations.

New Yorkers should take steps to prepare now:

• Allow extra time for travel and check transit, ferry and flight status before leaving.
• If you park in a coastal area that frequently floods, move your vehicle to higher ground before high tide.
• If you live in a basement or ground-floor apartment in a low-lying or flood-prone area, know more than one way out and be prepared to move to a higher floor if conditions worsen. Never remain in or re-enter a flooded basement.
• Never walk or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, and one foot of water can sweep away a vehicle.
• Never drive around traffic barricades.
• Secure outdoor furniture, grills, planters, garbage cans and other loose items, including anything on balconies, rooftops and patios.
• During strong winds, stay away from trees, power lines, scaffolding and construction sites.
• Charge phones and other devices. If you rely on electrically powered medical equipment, register with your utility provider and keep backup batteries charged.
• Check on neighbors who may need additional help, especially older adults, people with disabilities and anyone living in a basement or low-lying home.
• Anyone attending an outdoor event this weekend should check with organizers for schedule changes.
• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Report nonemergency issues to 311.

The City will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as the forecast changes. Sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency alert system, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 or visiting nyc.gov/notifynyc. Basement apartment residents can sign up to receive automated flooding alerts through Notify NYC. For preparedness information, visit nyc.gov/beready.

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