With a blustering nor’easter bearing down on the tristate area, New York City residents are being warned to stay inside if they can, keep clear of flood-prone areas, and get ready to evacuate basement apartments while a state of emergency has already been declared in New Jersey.
The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning and a wind advisory for New York and New Jersey, warning of heavy rains from noon Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. The storm could bring between one to two inches of rain and 50-mph winds.
New Jersey is expected to get hit hard, with Gov. Murphy calling for a state of emergency as the Garden State braces for power outages, coastal flooding and beach erosion.
New York City officials are warning people living in basement apartments in flood-prone areas to seek a higher floor, and evacuate as necessary. In 2021, the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida led to 13 deaths in the five boroughs, with 11 of the victims trapped in flash-flooded basements.
The MTA is barring empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks from its seven bridges: the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Con Edison has announced that it will mobilize work crews in advance, along with 900 mutual-aid workers for emergency response.
“Strong winds are expected across NYC. Prepare now to stay safe,” NYC Emergency Management posted on X.com. “Bring inside or secure loose outdoor items like Halloween decorations, garbage bins and patio furniture. Close and latch all windows and doors. Stay indoors when possible, especially during peak gusts.
“Use extra caution if you must go outside, and avoid walking or driving near trees, construction sites or waterfront areas. If you lose power, use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk. Report downed trees or large branches that are not life-safety issues to 311. Call 911 🚨 for any life-safety emergencies, including downed wires or debris blocking roads.”
