Nor’easter Takes Aim at Long Island as Harvest Moon Raises Coastal Flooding Risk

Suffolk County and the East End could see some of the strongest winds and coastal impacts, while New York City faces rain, wind and rough surf as the storm threatens Saturday’s Harvest Moon viewing

Fall has barely begun, and a developing nor’easter could put a damper on one of the season’s first big celestial events.

Saturday’s Harvest Moon is set to rise over Long Island and New York City just as a coastal storm could bring rain, strong winds and clouds to the region — potentially obscuring the full moon that skywatchers have been waiting to see.

But a blocked moon view may be the least of the concerns.

The National Weather Service is tracking a developing coastal low that could bring strong winds, coastal flooding, high surf, dangerous rip currents and beach erosion to the region Friday through Sunday, with eastern Long Island particularly exposed to coastal impacts.

The precise track remains the big question. There is still uncertainty over how close the storm comes to Long Island and how long it lingers, which will help determine how much rain falls and how strong the winds become on land.

For the Hamptons, North Fork and the rest of Suffolk County, however, this is increasingly looking like more than a one-day weather event.

What Suffolk County Could See

Northeast winds are already building across the region and are expected to remain a factor through the weekend.

As of Thursday, a gale warning was in effect for ocean waters from Moriches Inlet to Montauk Point through Friday afternoon. Peconic and Gardiners bays were under a small craft advisory through Friday morning, followed by a gale warning Friday.

A high risk of rip currents also remained in effect for southeast Suffolk County through Friday afternoon.

Rain becomes more likely Friday and into the weekend, but rainfall totals remain less certain. A storm that tracks farther offshore would mean less rain for much of the region; a shift closer to Long Island could bring wetter conditions, particularly across eastern Suffolk County.

That uncertainty means the weekend is not necessarily destined to be a complete washout. But residents and visitors should expect a windy, unsettled stretch from Friday through Sunday, with the East End particularly exposed to coastal effects.

The Bigger Concern May Be at the Water

Even if the center of the storm remains offshore, the coastline could take a beating.

Persistent northeast winds can produce rough surf, dangerous rip currents and beach erosion, while repeated high-tide cycles could bring coastal flooding to vulnerable areas.

Those concerns extend across ocean beaches and other low-lying waterfront areas, where prolonged onshore winds can push water toward the coast over multiple tide cycles.

Boaters and beachgoers should closely monitor changing marine forecasts and advisories, particularly as conditions deteriorate offshore.

Then Comes Saturday’s Harvest Moon

The celestial timing could make the coastal situation more problematic.

The Harvest Moon — the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox — arrives Saturday, Sept. 26. Full moons produce higher astronomical tides, and this one will coincide with days of persistent onshore winds and a developing coastal storm.

That combination could aggravate coastal flooding and erosion, particularly around high tide.

In other words, even if rainfall totals ultimately come in on the lower side, water could still be one of the biggest stories along parts of the Long Island coastline.

And for anyone hoping to catch the Harvest Moon rising Saturday night, clouds, rain and wind could make viewing difficult across Long Island and New York City.

What About New York City?

New York City is expected to feel the effects of the coastal system as well, although the East End may see stronger coastal impacts.

Windy conditions and periods of rain are possible in the city Friday through Sunday, along with coastal concerns around vulnerable waterfront areas.

Atlantic-facing beaches in Brooklyn and Queens could also see dangerous surf and rip currents as the storm churns offshore.

As with Long Island, relatively small changes in the storm track could make a significant difference in how much rain and wind New York City ultimately receives.

The Weekend Outlook

Friday: Cloudy and increasingly windy, with showers possible. Coastal impacts increase as the storm develops offshore.

Saturday: Windy with periods of rain possible. The Harvest Moon brings higher astronomical tides, adding to concerns about coastal flooding and erosion.

Sunday: Wind and rain may linger, depending on how quickly the coastal storm moves away.

The forecast is still evolving, and the storm’s exact track will determine how much rain and wind Long Island and New York City ultimately get. But several days of rough coastal conditions remain a concern regardless of whether the center of the storm makes a closer approach.

East Hampton Prepares — and What Residents Can Do Now

East Hampton Town is already taking precautions ahead of the storm, with officials coordinating across police, emergency preparedness, highway, harbormaster and maintenance departments.

According to the town, storm drains and catch basins have been cleared, lifeguarding equipment has been removed from beach areas, and personnel and equipment are being readied to respond if needed.

Residents can make preparations of their own before conditions deteriorate:

• Secure outdoor furniture, garbage and recycling containers and other loose objects that could become airborne in strong winds.
• Pay particular attention to high tides if you live in a low-lying or waterfront area.
• Stay out of dangerous surf and heed beach and rip-current warnings.
• Do not drive through flooded roads. Water can be deeper or moving faster than it appears.
• Charge phones and other essential devices before the strongest winds arrive.
• Keep flashlights and batteries accessible in case of a power outage.
• Move vehicles from flood-prone areas if coastal flooding is expected in your neighborhood.
• Check on boats and marine equipment before conditions worsen, rather than attempting to secure them once dangerous winds and seas arrive.
• Keep monitoring official forecasts and alerts. Conditions and warnings can change as the storm’s track becomes clearer.

If you encounter a downed power line, stay well away from it and assume it is live. Do not touch the wire or anything it may be contacting.

Where to Get Updates and Help

Weather and Storm Updates

National Weather Service — New York/Upton: The primary source for updated forecasts, watches and warnings, coastal flooding, high surf, rip currents and marine conditions for Long Island and the New York City area.
Website: weather.gov/okx

Hamptons, North Fork and Suffolk County

SuffolkAlert: Suffolk County’s official emergency notification system provides emergency and severe-weather alerts.
Website: suffolkcountyny.gov/alerts

Suffolk County Emergency Information: County emergency information and local emergency contacts.
Website: suffolkcountyny.gov

Power Outages and Downed Wires — PSEG Long Island: Report or check an outage by calling 800-490-0075, using the PSEG Long Island app or online, or texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). Text STAT to the same number for outage status. Downed wires should be reported by phone.
Website: psegliny.com/outages

East End 24-Hour Emergency Contacts:
East Hampton: 631-537-7575
Southampton: 631-728-5000
Riverhead: 631-727-4500
Southold: 631-765-2600
Shelter Island: 631-749-0600

In East Hampton, non-emergency reports of downed trees, large branches or roadway flooding can be made to East Hampton Town Police at 631-537-7575.

New York City

Notify NYC: The city’s official emergency notification service provides alerts about severe weather, flooding, transit disruptions, road closures and other emergencies.
Website: NYC.gov/NotifyNYC

NYC Emergency Management: Storm preparedness, emergency updates and information about coastal storms and flooding.
Website: NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement

Know Your Zone: New Yorkers can check whether an address is in one of the city’s hurricane evacuation zones and find evacuation information.
Website: maps.nyc.gov/hurricane

NYC 311: For non-emergency city services and storm-related information, call 311 in New York City or 212-639-9675 from outside the city.
Website: portal.311.nyc.gov

For a life-threatening emergency anywhere, call 911.

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .