More nasty weather hits LI this morning

Ripping winds and bands of tempestuous rain could make the morning commute a harrowing experience Friday, as Long Island again gets battered by what remains of Tropical Storm Nicole.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service are warning flash flooding is possible and that driving could be “difficult” due to wind gusts as high as 57 mph in some areas. Downed trees, tree limbs and power lines are also likely Friday.

The weather service canceled its high wind warning, but a wind advisory remains in effect for Nassau and Suffolk until 8 a.m. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult,” the advisory warned. “Especially for high-profile vehicles.”

Heavy rains are expected through to the afternoon with totals of up to two inches “likely,” according to the weather service, which issued a flood watch and said it will remain in effect through the afternoon.

“The heaviest rain will move into the region this morning,” the weather service advisory said, warning that water levels in rivers and local streams will see “sharp rises” due to the storm and floods possible.

A high surf advisory has been issued for all Atlantic Beaches, with 7-to-11-foot waves possible in Suffolk, Nassau and Queens. The waves could cause big beach erosion.

As of 7 a.m. the Long Island Power Authority was reporting about 6,000 customers without power — most of them in North Hempstead. Flights to Kennedy Airport from other airports around the country were being held until at least 7 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration reported. There are unspecified delays at LaGuardia.

Southwest Airlines has already canceled six early-morning flights from Long Island-MacArthur Airport Friday. Southwest canceled all flights from MacArthur Thursday.

Air travelers are advised to consult with their airlines regarding any possible delays or cancelations Friday.

The Long Island Rail Road is reporting delays on the Port Washington Branch and New York City Transit is warning of subway delays on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C and E lines.

The massive rainstorm drenched the East Coast from the Carolinas to Maine Thursday, causing at least four deaths. The worst of the rain fell in North Carolina, where four people, including two children, were killed when the sport utility vehicle they were traveling in skidded off a rain-slicked highway and tumbled into a ditch filled with water, North Carolina troopers said.

With AP