Thar she blows!

North Fork leaders raced to make final preparations Friday ahead of a powerful nor’easter expected to hammer the region with strong winds, coastal flooding and widespread disruptions.

The storm has already forced the postponement of several popular events, including this weekend’s Maritime Festival in Greenport. Mattituck High School’s memorial volleyball tournament honoring late coach Kelly Pickering, slated for Saturday morning, has also been pushed back, school officials said Friday.

Organizers will decide on the Bug Light Regatta Saturday, but the after-party at the American Legion in Greenport will go on.

The Cross Sound Ferry has announced weather-related cancellations as high seas threaten weekend travel.

Southold police plan to have another officer stationed in Orient in case of flooding, while additional barriers and cones will be ready if roads need to be closed, Police Chief Steve Grattan said.

“Residents should be prepared for inclement weather this weekend, including strong winds, periods of rain, and potential for flooding,” Chief Grattan said. “Secure outdoor items, avoid unnecessary travel, monitor local weather forecasts and dial 911 in case of an emergency.”

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory from 2 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday, and a coastal flood warning from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday.

The coastal flood warning calls for 1 to 2 feet of water above ground in vulnerable waterfront areas of northeast Suffolk County. Flooding could close roads and affect parking lots, parks, lawns and waterfront homes and businesses.

The worst flooding is expected around Saturday’s daytime high tide.

Southold Highway Superintendent Dan Goodwin said the timing of the storm, combined with elevated tides around the full moon, increases the flooding concern.

“Coupling that with what’s going to be a pretty strong easterly wind direction, that’s when we start looking at areas of tidal flooding,” Mr. Goodwin said. “When you get these lunar tides, the tide cycles leading up to the full moon and on the back end of the full moon are quite high as well.”

Rough waves were already crashing against docks and rocks Friday afternoon, spewing high into the air on impact.

Forecasters expect 3 to 4 inches of rain across central and eastern Long Island through Sunday, with the strongest winds Friday night through Saturday night. Gusts will generally reach 40 to 50 mph and could locally approach 55 mph. Rain may linger into Monday.

The expected strong winds could knock out power, officials warned.

“We continue to monitor this weather system and have performed system and logistic checks to ensure any customers who may be affected will have their power restored safely and as quickly as possible,” PSEG Long Island Electric Operations VP Michael Sullivan said.

Residents can report outages to PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075, through the utility’s app or by texting OUT to 773454. Downed wires must be reported by phone.

Highway department crews have been checking their supply of road-closure signs and addressing potentially hazardous trees, either removing them or pruning limbs.

Another form of preparation has been the postponement or cancellation of many events and services ahead of the weekend, headlined by Greenport’s 36th annual Maritime Festival.

“Maritime has always been about our relationship with the water — and part of that is respecting the conditions around us,” head of the event steering committee Sarah Phillips-Loth said. 

Other postponements and schedule changes announced so far include:

• Greenport Maritime Festival: The Land and Sea Gala will now take place on Friday, Oct. 16, with the festival following on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18.
• Wading River-Shoreham Chamber Fall Festival: Rescheduled for Oct. 18
• Orient Beach State Park guided kayak tour: Rescheduled for Oct. 3
• CAST’s “A Night at the Opera” fundraiser: Canceled
• Greenport 2D Shop opening: Grand opening rescheduled to coincide with the Maritime Festival, Oct. 16
• Riverhead Raceway Championship Saturday and Sunday: Rescheduled for Oct. 3 and 4
• Cross Sound Ferry: Last Friday departure from Orient is 5 p.m.; All Saturday departures canceled; Service from Orient planned to resume Sunday at 9 a.m.
• East End Seaport Museum Bug Light Regatta: To be decided Saturday, but chances are it’s canceled; Rum and Reggae party will still happen

The post North Fork nor’easter update: What’s canceled, postponed and still on this weekend appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Source link

24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com