The National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon updated its urgent weather message for the ongoing winter storm watch with a prediction of 5 to 13 inches of snow possible on the East End of Long Island.
Meantime, the Town of Shelter Island has declared a Snow Emergency for Monday, meaning all non-emergency vehicles must stay off the roads. School is closed for a snow day. Read more here.
[Note: This post was updated to include higher predicted accumulations in the NWS 3:55 PM bulletin.]
The NWS also predicts blizzard-like conditions with high winds — around 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph — that will exacerbate coastal flooding, with up to two or three feet of inundation in areas prone to flooding. It has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and Coastal Flood Warning for the area.
The storm, expected to arrive Sunday evening and last through Monday, but the snow will blow around quite a bit, leaving it hard to tell just how much has fallen
Here’s the 9:39 AM Winter Storm Watch update from the NWS (with minor style edits):
- WHAT — Heavy snow possible; total snow accumulations of 5 to 13 inches possible; winds could gust as high as 60 mph
- WHERE — Southeastern Suffolk and Northeastern Suffolk County
- WHEN — From late Sunday through late Monday night
- IMPACTS— Travel could be very difficult; the hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes; strong winds could cause tree damage
- ADDITIONAL DETAILS – Blizzard like conditions possible late Monday morning into early afternoon. Snow/sleet accumulations will be towared the lower end of the forecast range generally over the Twin Forks.
Here is the 4:01 AM Coastal Hazard Message update from the NWS:
- A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday; and a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect from 8 PM Monday to 5 AM Tuesday
- WHAT — Two to three feet of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, around one foot of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline.
- WHERE — Northeastern Suffolk and Southeastern Suffolk County
- COASTAL FLOOD IMPACTS — Widespread MODERATE to locally MAJOR FLOODING of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline Monday Night. Expect 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas, Monday night. This will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront will likely become flooded
- SHORELINE IMPACTS — Along the oceanfront, large breaking waves of 5 to 10 feet for multiple tidal cycles will result in significant beach erosion and flooding, with areas of dune erosion likely. Localized washovers are possible resulting in some flooding of roadways and vulnerable structures behind protective dunes. Along the Long Island Sound shorefront and the twin forks, 4- to 6-foot breaking waves will likely cause localized beach erosion, wave splash over seawalls and bulkheads, and possible minor damage to shoreline structures, particularly during the time of high tide Monday night.
- PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS — Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
For further information, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov.
PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island, which services Shelter Island and typically keeps a crew based on the Island during weather emergencies, says it is prepared to handle power outages that may result from the storm.
“After a storm, we must first assess damage to determine the time and resources needed to restore power,” the electric utility said in an email to ratepayers. PSEG-LI will provide an Estimated Time of Restoration (ETR) only after it is able to assess conditions. “Because it is an estimate, an ETR could change.”
You should report downed wires and other electrical emergencies to PSEG at 1-800-490-0075. Check for progress on resolving outages using the PSEG mobile phone app. Find it and other helpful tools at psegliny.com.
