Coastal Flood — Nassau, New York

1996-10-19 · Nassau, New York

Wider weather episode

On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula. With a high pressure system in place across Northern New England, the low intensified and moved slowly off the Southern New Jersey Coast on Saturday, the 19th.East winds developed across the region during the 18th. As the difference in pressure systems increased, east winds also increased. Over the sea, sustained wind speeds reached gale force (34 knots) Friday night and continued through Saturday. Strong east winds blowing over a long distance caused tides to average 3 to 6 feet above normal. Tide anomalies were 5.49 feet above normal at Willets Point at 5 pm and 3.62 feet above normal at the Battery at 2:18 pm. Widespread minor to major coastal flooding and beach erosion resulted during Saturday afternoon and evening high tides.In New York City, several hundred homes were damaged with close to $15 million in damages to public facilities. The areas hardest hit were in Queens and Bronx Counties:In Queens, 300 homes were damaged in Bayside.In the Bronx, 239 homes were damaged on City Island. Damage included basement and first floor flooding in single and multiple family homes. Many vehicles were damaged from being submerged in water. Many public facilities including 10 waste-water treatment plants, hospitals, correctional facilities, schools, parks, and beaches were damaged.In Manhattan, up to 3 feet of water covered streets around the NY Post Building. Water overflowed the seawall at the Battery and at South Street.In Bayville of Nassau County, up to 3 feet of water covered many streets. More than 100 homes were damaged and dozens of cars were totally damaged in flood waters. The hardest hit areas in East Bayville were on and around 5th, 6th, 7th, 1st, and 2nd Streets. Water flooded the causeway to Centre Island, where major flooding also occurred. The streets of many south shore communities like the village of Freeport were under up to 3 feet of water and over 1400 homes suffered damage.In Eatons Neck of Northwest Suffolk County, water breached Asharoken Ave., the only road connecting Eatons Neck and Asharoken to Long Island. The road was closed to traffic about 3:30 pm, a couple of hours before high tide.In Northeast Suffolk County, coastal flooding and serious erosion caused major damage to the Orient Point State Park. Tides were estimated up to 6 feet above normal. South Jamesport experienced significant flooding and beach erosion. Significant flooding occurred across Peconic Bay Blvd. and Peconic Avenue.In Westchester County, mostly minor coastal flooding occurred. Up to 75 homes received only minor damage.The five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties were declared Presidential Disaster Areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5583768. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.