Nor'easter departs, with sunshine predicted for next few days

Southwest Suffolk County remained under a coastal flood advisory until 8 p.m. Tuesday, even as the nor'easter that hit Long Island with heavy rain and gusty winds for two days leaves the region, the National Weather Service said.

Long Island was under cloudy skies Tuesday evening, with a 20% chance of rain, according to the weather service, and sunshine was predicted for Wednesday with a high of 65. Thursday and Friday were also predicted to be clear, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and a slightly warmer sunny weekend was also forecast.

The coastal flood advisory came after areas in southwest Suffolk such as Babylon, Lindenhurst and West Islip were hit with significant flooding from the storm on Monday.

The service said minor to moderate flooding could affect vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline Tuesday evening, with possible high surf and minor beach erosion from breaking waves.

Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said: "The flood impact will be far less than what we have seen previously."

Long Island Regional Director for New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation George Gorman said most of the South Shore beaches in the park system received no additional storm-related flooding Tuesday — though he said there had been some minor flooding at the West Bath House and Field 6 at Jones Beach.

Gorman said many of the beaches had suffered minor to moderate erosion from the storm, but “nothing impacting operations.”

Gorman said: “Considering the forecast and our concerns, we had far less damage than anticipated.”

Ramsey said that despite the recent rainfall, he doubts it was enough to take Suffolk County out of its moderate drought status.