Flood watch for Nassau, NYC as heavy downpours expected today, forecasters say

A flood watch was in effect for parts of Nassau and New York City through Saturday evening where some of the heaviest downpours had been expected Saturday, forecasters said.

A cold front approaching from the west and moisture associated with remnants of Tropical Storm Phillipe increased the potential for precipitation, according to Dave Radell, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Upton. 

The flood watch warned of excessive runoff leading to flooding of rivers, streams and low-lying areas, as well as flooding in “poor drainage and urban areas.”

Radell said accumulations Saturday were expected to be a total of 1 to 1.5 inches, but by 7 p.m. just over half an inch of rain had fallen at Farmingdale Airport, according to the National Weather Service's records. 

“There could be scattered instances of flooding but it will not be as widespread,” Radell said. Some areas could see rainfall rates of up to 1 to 2 inches per hour, putting those areas at increased risk of inundation that could cause some disruption, especially to basements and underground areas.

Cooler temperatures are expected Saturday night into Sunday.

The weather service said Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high temperature near 63 degrees. A west wind of about 16 mph is expected.

Sunday night is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping as low as 49 degrees.

The forecast for Monday, Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, calls for mostly sunny skies, with a high temperature near 63 degrees.

With Tracy Tullis