Long Island is bracing for possible beach erosion and power outages as a storm brings strong winds, rain and coastal flooding to the region Wednesday.
The National Weather Service had issued a wind advisory warning of up to 57 mph gusts that expired at 11 a.m., when the winds are expected to diminish through the afternoon. A coastal flood advisory remains in effect through 2 p.m.
The saturated ground combined with the winds increases the possibility of downed trees and power lines, according to NWS. The Long Island Power Authority reported more than 3,100 outages of their 1.1 million customers as of 10:30 a.m.
NWS said in its coastal flood advisory statement that up to 11-foot Atlantic waves combined with astronomically high tides that are more than two feet higher than usual are expected to erode ocean beaches.
LI’s barrier island’s had already been dealing with erosion issues before Superstorm Sandy decimated the dunes on Fire Island and similarly hammered Westhampton Beach, Jones Beach and Long Beach.
The chance of showers is forecast to continue Wednesday evening into Thursday before clearing up Friday to give way to a sunny Saturday and Sunday.
