Hurricane Jose: Long Island Braces For Multiple Impacts

Hurricane Jose, the storm that has been on its way toward Long Island for what seems like months now, will impact the region Tuesday and Wednesday.

Currently a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, Jose was located about 235 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as of 8 a.m. Tuesday. It's moving north at 9 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.

Although a tropical storm watch remains in effect for Suffolk County, the wind field is not expected to expand as far west as previously forecast, so the watch has been canceled for Nassau County.

There's currently a 20 to 30 percent chance of tropical storm-force winds (meaning sustained winds of 39 mph or more) for most of the island. There's a 30 to 40 percent chance on the far East End.

"In addition to the increasing winds, dangerous conditions will persist at area beaches, while minor to moderate coastal flooding will be possible," the National Weather Service's Upton office said in a forecast discussion Monday evening.

The following hurricane local statement issued by the NWS details all of the potential impacts:

Hurricane Jose will continue to track slowly north through the western Atlantic waters through mid-week, passing to the southeast of the area late tonight into Wednesday as a tropical storm. The system will be close enough for potential impacts, including tropical-storm-force winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall. The best chance for tropical storm conditions will be across far eastern Long Island and southeast Connecticut.

Tropical-storm-force winds are possible tonight into Wednesday with sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts up to 50 mph.

Heavy rain bands may move in this morning, but the heaviest rain is expected tonight into Wednesday with 1 to 3 inches possible. Localized flash flooding is also possible.

Areas of 1 to 2 feet inundation are likely with the high tide cycle tonight and Wednesday across tidal portions of southeast New York, northeast New Jersey and southern Connecticut. Localized inundation of up to 3 feet is possible in the typically more vulnerable locations along the south shore back bays of Long Island and New York City, and along Peconic and Gardiners bays.

Dangerous surf will build to 10 to 16 feet today into tonight. This will result in widespread dune erosion and localized washovers.

* SHORELINE HAZARDS:

Prepare for dangerous surf of 10 to 15 ft causing widespread dune erosion, and localized dune overwashes along the Atlantic beachfront.

* SURGE:

Potential impacts in this area include:

- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.

* WIND:

Potential impacts include:

- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:

Potential impacts include:

- Rivers, Small streams, creeks and canals may become swollen and could overflow in spots.
- Floodwaters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind, such as a mobile home, a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you and your family for several days.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean, in a low lying or poor drainage area, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.

Read the latest storm briefing here.