Tuesday’s nor’easter, which is slated to bring heavy winds and up to four inches of rain to the North Fork, has sparked massive flooding, according to Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando.
“We’ve been chasing puddles all morning. It’s flooding where it doesn’t normally flood. Driving is treacherous,” Orlando said.
Motorists are urged to “take it slow. Don’t try to go through puddles; find an alternate route,” Orlando said.
Rain in recent days has led to drains that unable to keep up with the deluge, Orlando said. “We’re hoping the rain slows down so the drains can do their job.”
Due to higher temps on Tuesday, Orlando said he’s seen no ice conditions on roads. So far, downed tree limbs have not been an issue, either, he said. “We’ve been fortunate,” Orlando said. “Now if the rain would stop, the drains could catch up. Everything is at full capacity.”
Orlando said afer lunch, he hoped the heavy rainfall would slow down. “That can’t come fast enough,” he said.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the town’s emergency operations center has not been activated but the town is in constant contact with the EOC; in addition, Russell said he’s been in contact with Suffolk County’s EOC. The town has also established protocol with PSEG for any potential power loss, he said. Residents should be reminded to report any outages by calling 1-800-490-0075, Russell said.
Rain is expected to continue falling throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday, according to John Murray, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton. A wind advisory will remain in effect until 5 p.m., with 20 to 30 mile per hour sustainable winds and gusts of up to 50 miles per hour possible.
A flood watch also remains in effect, Murray said; minor coastal flooding is expected around high tide at 3 p.m., he said.
Rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday as the center of a strong coastal low hovers just south of Long Island, Murray said. Rain will continue throughout the day, with heavy downpours intermittent, and tapering off into the afternoon and early evening. However, as the low remains stationary, rain will continue throughout the evening, with a few possible breaks overnight.
Showers are expected to continue into Wednesday as the low hovers over the area, with a flood watch in effect until 1 a.m., Murray said.
