Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Thursday for downstate New York and Long Island in advance of heavy rain and localized flooding forecast to hit the areas in the evening.
According to the governor's office, there are flood watches in place for Long Island, New York City, and the Hudson Valley through Friday afternoon, with significant rain expected in the state's Southern Tier and capital region as well. The state of emergency covers Suffolk and Nassau Counties as well as the Bronx, New York, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, and "contiguous counties."
The National Weather Service in Upton issued a flash flood warning for western Suffolk, where heavy rain had already begun. It was to be in effect until 7:45 p.m.
“I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding,” the governor said in a press release Thursday afternoon. “State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”
Her office warned that one to three inches of rain were expected over the impacted counties, "with locally higher totals up to five inches possible. . . . Most of the rain will fall in as little as three to six hours from Thursday afternoon through Thursday night."
