Live updates: Gov. Kathy Hochul declares state of emergency ahead of nor'easter

A preview of what's to come?

Winds have yet to reach the 50-60 mph gusts predicted for the nor'easter's peak this weekend, but local officials have already expressed concern over foliage-heavy trees — such as this one in Wantagh — being more susceptible to toppling than the barren ones more common during winter storms.

'Some of us still have PTSD from Sandy'

In Amityville Village, the public works, fire and police departments have been prepping all week for the storm, said Mayor Mike O’Neill.

This includes oiling and gassing up chain saws because, while flooding is the Paramount concern, he said, most trees are still full of leaves and might come down more easily with high winds and saturated ground.

"They might cause property damage, they might take down power lines and if so, how long will the power be out?," O'Neill said. "Some of us still have PTSD from Sandy" when power was out for days and weeks in some areas.

The village expects flooding and has been clearing drains, O’Neill said, with a close watch on streets at the end of canals and Amityville Beach. The village has opened up all municipal lots until at least Monday for those looking for parking, he said.

In Lindenhurst Village, residents on streets prone to flooding have been advised to move their vehicles to the LIRR parking lots and Shore Road lot, Mayor Mike Lavorata said.

"There’s no major flooding issues just yet but the big concern is the full moon tide," Lavorata said.

Loss of electricity and gas mains are also concerns, he said. If needed, he said the village would set up shelters at the Rainbow Senior Center and the high school.

"In some respects, we’re treating it like Sandy because we don’t want to take any chances," he said. "But I get concerned when it’s just a regular rainstorm because I never know what to expect, especially south of Montauk."

Long Island's coastal communities gear up for powerful nor'easter

Long Island's ability to withstand powerful storms will once again be tested as a strong nor'easter sweeps in from the Atlantic Ocean.

Local officials and storm experts said the Island is as ready as it will ever be after a relatively mild summer gave beaches and dunes time to recover from blizzards and nor'easters that have struck the region in recent years.

Still, the combined force of potential 55 mph wind gusts and high tides could cause substantial damage, they said.

Read the full story here.

Fueling up before the storm

For coastal areas, concerns of high-tide flooding but no evacuation plans yet

Long Island officials said they would be closely watching the tides, including on Fire Island, where evacuations could come later if conditions worsen.

High tide is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday and again at 8 p.m. Just as critical, the county executives said Friday, are if the nor'easter allows the tides to recede at low tide, or if waves as high as 12 feet could wash ashore.

"That is a critical point because at high tide with a full moon, that is going to increase the possibility of flooding," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.

"We are hoping that the first high tide will dissipate, but it depends on the wind direction and the coastal direction of the whether or not the winds are blowing in a certain direction or not. When they're blowing the ocean into the bay, that's when it's a big issue that could create major flooding."

Authorities said they would prepared for any high water rescues.

In case of evacuations, Nassau County Community College is prepared as an evacuation center. The old family court in Westbury is also offering shelter for the homeless or anyone in need of refuge from the storm, Blakeman said.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said officials are concerned about low-lying areas, including Center Moriches, Mastic Beach, Shirley, East Patchogue and Lindenhurst.

Officials were also closely watching Fire Island, which could be subject to evacuations. Ferry service was canceled for Friday and Saturday, according to the Fire Island Ferry.

"We have not ordered, but may consider ordering an evacuation of Fire Island, depending on the latest weather reports," Romaine said. "We anticipate ocean waves of eight to 12 feet, so that's significant and obviously much less in the bay and the sound."

"If you're on Fire Island, have a plan, because I'd leave now. Because once the storm starts, it's going to be very difficult to get to you, so secure your house on Fire Island. Plan on leaving if you live further east along the ocean."

NYS declares state of emergency ahead of nor'easter

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she's declared a state of emergency ahead of the powerful nor'easter that's expected to impact Long Island.

Hochul told 1010 WINS there are no current plans for mandatory evacuations but her administration will consider them if the weather poses a serious threat to human life.

Races halted at new Belmont Park

Due to the incoming nor’easter, the New York Racing Association canceled its live racing programs for Saturday and Sunday at the new Belmont Park, which reopened last Friday following a three-year, $555 million redevelopment.

Belmont Park will be closed to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Fans who purchased tickets and prepaid parking directly through Ticketmaster, FEVO or the NYRA sales team are eligible for a refund or ticket credit, and ticket holders will be contacted by the NYRA sales team via email for additional info.

Tickets purchased through a third-party vendor are not eligible for refunds from NYRA, and those ticket holders must contact the original vendor directly.

NYRA said it received approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing on Wednesday and Oct. 7. Belmont Park now will feature live racing Wednesday through Sunday throughout October.

'Not a Superstorm Sandy,' but Long Beach urges residents to be alert

Long Beach City Council President Brendan Finn robocalled residents with a message to take the storm seriously.

"While this is not a Superstorm Sandy situation, we do ask that you take precautions as we will see impacts," Finn said in the robocall.

"High tides are expected to be four to six feet above normal during the storm. If you live in or near an area that frequently floods, you will experience moderate flooding this weekend. Please move your vehicle to higher ground and store important documents in a safe location."

Finn advised residents to be prepared for power outages and to bring in or secure outdoor items. City crews are on standby to respond to the storm. For emergencies call 911 but to reach the Long Beach police department for nonemergencies call 516-431-1800.

Storm stops SCPD auction, for now

Bad news, motorheads:

The Suffolk County Police Department vehicle auction, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to the nor’easter forecasted to hit Long Island.

But those cruising for a new set of wheels are in luck: A new date will be announced in the future, police said in a statement.

Read the full story here.

LI ferries canceled, bus riders should expect delays

The forthcoming nor’easter is causing changes to bus and ferry service on Long Island.

Nassau’s NICE Bus, in a statement, advised riders to expect delays and detours caused by flooded roads, downed trees and wires, and road closures.

"With dangerous road conditions from high winds, heavy rain and coastal or street flooding throughout this upcoming weekend, riders of NICE Bus should use the NICE Go Mobile app to check the status of their specific bus in real-time during and after the storm," NICE spokesman Mark Smith said.

Fire Island Ferries, the Cross Sound Ferry out of Orient, and the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry all announced that they were canceling all service beginning Friday evening and lasting through all of Saturday.

Yankees fans miffed by decision to move Sabathia ceremony

The impending nor’easter forced the Yankees to reschedule Saturday’s home game against the Orioles, and therefore CC Sabathia’s number retirement ceremony as well.

But many fans who had tickets to see Sabathia get his number retired are miffed by the alternative.

The Yankees announced Thursday evening that they moved Saturday’s scheduled 7:05 p.m. game to the first game of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Friday. They also moved the Sabathia festivities to before Friday’s first game.

The problem? Only tickets dated for Friday were valid for the doubleheader, and tickets to Saturday’s game were not. The Yankees announced Thursday that fans with paid tickets to Saturday’s game “may exchange them for tickets to a similar regular season game at Yankee Stadium (subject to availability) as described in the Yankees’ rain check policy.”

That threw a wrench into the plans of fans who bought Saturday’s tickets strictly to see Sabathia, such as Selden’s Desirae Ross, who bought Saturday’s tickets as a Father’s Day gift for her dad and her best friend and his dad. She said the situation is “very unfair and unfortunate.

“Now none of us are able to go,” she said. “It’s sad because he’s been looking forward for it. Don’t think how they handled it was very professional. They didn’t give a 24-hour notice and people should be allowed refunds.”

Read more here. 

MTA seeks to limit LIRR suspensions

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority does not expect the forthcoming storm will lead to service suspensions on the LIRR, but is taking measures to prevent trees from falling on its tracks, and low-lying train stations from being flooded.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free gathered at the transit authority’s Lower Manhattan headquarters Friday to update the public on storm preparation measures, which will include deploying crews and equipment, such as chain saws, throughout the system to quickly respond to storm-related incidents.

"Right now, the wind is, by far, our biggest concern, especially after some downed power lines knocked out Main Line service on the Long Island Rail Road a few days ago," Lieber said, referring to Wednesday’s rush hour service suspension caused a pair of PSEG utility poles toppling over onto the LIRR’s tracks near Hicksville.

"We don't want to see any more mishaps or disruptions on the Long Island Rail Road or any other part of our system," Lieber said.

Free said railroad crews have been aggressively clearing away trees and brush near the LIRR’s property that could pose a threat if they fell onto tracks — a problem that could be more likely if the ground becomes saturated with water.

Free said he spoke Wednesday to PSEG President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Jennings, who assured him that the poles that fell on the LIRR’s tracks Wednesday have been replaced and that they, and other nearby poles, have been inspected and are secure. Free said PSEG will also have extra crews available this weekend for "quick responses."

Based on forecasts, LIRR officials "don’t feel it’s necessary" to suspend service ahead of the storm, Free said, as they did in advance of a powerful blizzard in February. If there were any service suspensions, Free said it’s more likely they would be in Eastern Suffolk, where the storm is expected to be more severe and where the LIRR runs fewer trains.

MTA crews are also preparing for the potential for flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, like the LIRR’s Island Park and Far Rockaway stations. Free said the LIRR will have water pumps, high-water monitors, and plumbers available to address any issues.

Freeport to offer free undercarriage car washes Sunday

Freeport Village, which typically sees flooding during significant storms, will offer free washes for vehicle undercarriages Sunday, after the nor'easter's expected passage. 

The service will be offered at the fire department's Hose Company No. 3, at 375 S. Bayview Ave., to wash out any saltwater that floods in from the shore.

"We will have minor flooding," Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy said Friday. "Our police department and fire department both have high water army vehicles in the event of flooding."

The Pirate Festival on the Nautical Mile, scheduled for Sunday, is still expected to go ahead, but that could change depending on the weather, Kennedy said.

The village has its own electric power utility, and linemen will be standing by in case of any outages, he said. The village is monitoring the situation and updating it to residents through robocalls, Facebook, its website and on cable Channel 1844.

Freeport uses a series of pumping stations and catch basins to pump out floodwaters. Kennedy said the village public works department has been checking those sites to make sure they are unobstructed.

"I would ask everyone to be sure they take any type of backyard furniture, coolers, containers — anything that could take off in the wind and go into the water — that it be secured," Kennedy said.

The village has suspended its parking restrictions on municipal parking lots so residents along the waterfront can move their vehicles farther inland.

"If anybody in the low-lying areas wants to park their car up north in a municipal parking lot, the regulations have been suspended," Kennedy said.

He also advised that boaters be sure their boats are secure and have charged batteries.

County execs pledge coordination, warn of 'more impactful' storm

Nassau and Suffolk county leaders warned Friday of potential flooding and power outages resulting from this weekend’s nor’easter, which is expected to bring up to 5 inches of rain and wind gusts topping 50 mph.

"We are facing as serious storm. We expect rain to start at 5 p.m. and last until midday Sunday," Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said. "But it's not the [rain] as much as the wind that will create the problem. We expect wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour, maybe even higher, and that wind will topple wires and trees, and that's where the problem lies."

At a briefing at Suffolk's emergency management headquarters in Yaphank, Romaine and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman each signed executive orders declaring emergencies in both counties and pledging to share information and assets.

"Ed and I have taken a regional approach to every major issue that affects Long Island, and certainly when we're in a situation like this, an emergency situation, we work together and we share assets and information," Blakeman said.

"This storm is going to be more impactful than originally thought," he continued. "This is going to be what they call on the higher end of a nor'easter, it'll slowly strengthen. It's going to start early evening tonight, and it will continue on until Sunday."

Romaine noted that Suffolk is also facing "massive erosion" on ocean beaches, such as at Smith Point County Park, where officials were watching low tide creep up to the steps off the boardwalk.

"There's some steps down to the beach. No more beach. You step into the ocean, and the storm hasn't be truly begun," Romaine said. "We are very concerned about the impact of the storm, and what we would urge everyone to do is, if you don't have to go out during the heavy rainfall, don't go out. If your street floods, don't drive through flooded areas."

The view from Freeport

Nassau, Suffolk postpone all Saturday HS sports

With a nor’easter expected to bring heavy winds and rain this weekend, all high school sports events on Saturday have been postponed.

The Massapequa-Garden City showdown of football unbeatens has been rescheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium. Garden City has the longest win streak in the country at 68 games. And Massapequa has won 25 games in a row.

“We follow the recommendation of the county office,” said Pat Pizzarelli, the executive director for Section VIII, which governs all interscholastic schools. “Our main priority and responsibility are the safety of our athletes.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine called an early afternoon news conference and recommended no travel for Saturday and Sunday.

“We are shutting down all athletic contests countywide,” said Tom Combs, the executive director for Section XI. “We are following the advice of our superintendents, executive board of directors and the emergency notifications from Suffolk County. It’s clear that this can turn into a very dangerous situation. This decision keeps our bus drivers and all people driving to games off potentially hazardous roads and safe. It also places the safety of our coaches and student-athletes as our top priority.”

There are no school sports scheduled for Sunday.

“Sunday is not an option for makeup games,” Combs said. “There are 13 varsity football games postponed on Saturday. They will be played on Monday.”

Read more about the postponements here.

Ducks move up Atlantic League title game due to storm

The Long Island Ducks announced on X Friday that tonight's Championship Series game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs has been moved up to get ahead of the pending nor'easter. Gates are now set to open at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip at 5 p.m. The game, originally set to start at 6:35 p.m., will now start at 5:30 p.m.

Nor'easter already impacting Long Island

Ahead of storm, enable smartphone emergency alerts, state says

New York State officials are urging residents to enable government emergency alerts on their mobile phones and sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

"With a significant coastal storm starting to impact New York State, we are actively monitoring the track of the storm and any potential impacts," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Friday, adding: "I urge New Yorkers to stay informed, stay prepared, and closely monitor local weather updates as conditions develop over the weekend."

The governor’s office also said that due to high winds, MTA Bridges and Tunnels is implementing a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday. Pedestrian walkways on bridges may also be closed if high winds are forecast.

Officials are also urging residents with air travel plans to check with their airlines or consult tracking services regarding potential airport delays.

The state Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is prepared to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed, officials said. The governor’s office also said the State Watch Center, New York’s 24/7 alert and warning hub, is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely.

Currently, there are 5,675 workers available statewide to support response, restoration and repairs. This includes 175 overhead mutual aid contractors secured by Con Edison. "Cut and toss" crews have also been pre-staged to support debris clearance from possible downed trees.

Save these emergency contacts ahead of the storm

The nor'easter headed toward Long Island has the potential to cause heavy coastal flooding and wind damage, including bringing down power lines and trees.

It's important to be prepared, including having all the important contact information at your fingertips. 

Here's a guide to how to report power outages and downed trees, along with contacts for each county, town and city on Long Island, and key transit agencies.

See what weekend events are canceled or postponed

Organizers behind many events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday are canceling, postponing or rescheduling their events, including the Greenport Maritime Festival, the Long Island Potato Festival and the Hamptons Marathon, while others are still monitoring the weather before making decisions. Check the status of these and other events.

Strong winds up to 55 mph, coastal flooding expected to start today

After days of debate about potential storm tracks, the National Weather Service is now certain an early-season nor'easter will impact Long Island this weekend, with strong winds and localized storm surge-related coastal flooding beginning Friday — and "a prolonged period of rainfall" expected to follow and continue straight through to Monday.

As much as 5 inches of rain could blanket Long Island, forecasters said, adding that wind gusts as high as 55 mph are expected Friday, and that the strength and duration of the system will likely cause the downing of tree limbs and power lines. Learn more about the latest forecast.