The New York City and Long Island office of the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood advisory on April 30 at around 10.30 p.m. which officials say is in effect until Monday, May 1, at 5 a.m.

 

Officials said flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including the counties of The Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Queens, and Richmond (Staten Island).

 

They said that at 10.25 p.m. on Sunday, a doppler radar indicated that several bands of moderate to locally heavy rain would move through the region in the next few hours and there will be minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected
to begin shortly in the advisory area, they said.

Additional rainfall amounts of a half an inch to one inch are expected over the area, officials said. Some locations that will experience flooding include Newark, Jersey City, Jamaica, Paterson, Elizabeth, Flatbush, Flushing, Passaic, Bayonne, Wayne, Mott Haven, Hoboken, Plainfield, Bloomfield, East Tremont, Hackensack, Linden, Orange, Bergenfield and Paramus. Officials later advised that one to two inches of rain is expected in The Bronx and that small stream flooding is expected in the Bronx River overnight.

 

Officials advise residents to stay safe, to turn around to avoid drowning if encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, they said. They advised residents to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. “Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads,” they said.

 

They added, “Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.”

 

For more safety tips on how to stay safe while a flood advisory is in effect, click here.

 

Meanwhile, the NYC Emergency Management Department advises New Yorkers to prepare for periods of heavy rain through midnight on Sunday night. They said New Yorkers living in basement apartments are reminded to be prepared to move to higher ground if necessary. “Heavy rain may cause rapid flooding to basements with little to no notice and can be life threatening,” officials said. They added, “Heavy rain may create dangerous travel conditions.”

They advised as follows:

• Limit travel and stay inside during periods of severe weather.
• If you must travel, exercise caution. Do not drive your vehicle or walk into areas where water covers the roadway as the water depth may be too great to allow you to cross safely.
• If you are outside during a thunderstorm, avoid open areas and try to seek shelter indoors.
• Clear leaves and debris from catch basins near your home. Be sure to wear gloves and watch for traffic.
• To report clogged catch basins, call 311 or visit https://on.nyc.gov/38t3h4r.

 

For more information, please visit https://on.nyc.gov/2WYDNJS.

 

One car was seen abandoned in the early hours of Monday, May 1, on Mosholu Parkway and Van Cortland Avenue on the border of Norwood and Bedford Park after it apparently got stuck in flood waters caused by excessive rainfall. Police had blocked off a section of the parkway to prevent other vehicles from a similar fate, as seen in this short video. Some of the road was already dug up due to ongoing works  in the area by Con Edison.