Long Island Storm: Flooding, High Winds, and Power Outages Impact Tri-State Area

Storm Impacts on Long Island

• 💨 Strong winds are whipping across Long Island, making it difficult to stand and even open car doors.
• 🚗 Driving has been challenging, with drivers struggling to maintain lanes on major parkways due to the intensity of the wind.
• ⚠️ Power lines have come down, closing a busy intersection near the Meadowbrook Parkway, requiring traffic closures for repairs.

Coastal Flooding and Beach Erosion

• 🌊 At Jones Beach, ocean waters rose and flooded parking field 4, leading to concerns about beach erosion.
• 🏘️ Side streets in Freeport are experiencing flooding, with holiday decor and flags seen whipping in the wind.

Warnings and Safety Precautions

• 🚫 Residents are advised not to drive unless absolutely necessary due to ponding on roads and the risk of freezing temperatures tonight.
• 🌲 There are reports of trees down, some causing further damage by hitting poles and cars.
• 🗣️ County officials caution that conditions will remain hazardous until at least 6-7 PM, with roads becoming slick as temperatures drop and freeze.

Transportation Delays

• ✈️ High winds are causing departure delays at major airports: JFK and Newark are experiencing 30-45 minute delays, while LaGuardia has 15-30 minute delays.
• 🚗 Some drivers were observed going through standing water on the Bronx River Parkway, highlighting the ongoing flooding issues.