Downpour drenching Long Island, forecast calls for potential flooding

Heavy rain continued to fall across much of Long Island Wednesday night with more to come before the storm moves on Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. 

Late Wednesday, the weather service issued a flood advisory through 12:45 a.m. Thursday. A flood advisory is issued “when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning,” the weather service said on its website. “However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.”

A flood watch remains in effect for Long Island and the rest of the metropolitan area through 6 a.m. Thursday. The website said a flood watch “is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.”

In an earlier statement, the weather service said: “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”

Near the border of Nassau and Suffolk Wednesday night, traffic on surface roads was relatively light but moving slowing because of the heavy downpour and minor flooding. Police in both counties had no reports of crashes or any storm-related incidents.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday night, LaGuardia Airport reported “flight disruptions" caused by the weather.

No delays were reported at Long Island MacArthur or Kennedy airports.

About 9 p.m., PSEG Long Island had reported just four power outages effecting 23 customers.

Rain overnight should end before 4 a.m. The low will dip to 45 degrees. On Thursday, there's a 40% chance of rain, mainly before 1 p.m., with a high about 49 under cloudy skies.

Thursday night brings more clouds and a low of about 37, the weather service said.

Long Island gets a brief break from the rain Friday when the forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of about 50. Clouds increase at night with a low of 35 and more rain over the weekend, according to the latest forecast.