Flooding Rains Expected Saturday as a Storm Moves In

What You Need To Know

• 2 to 3 inches of rain are expected
• Street and highway flooding is likely
• Widespread basement or subway flooding is not expected
• Heaviest rains will be Saturday afternoon

Plan on indoor activities for Saturday, and be careful if you’ll be driving. Flooding is likely on the usual highways like the Belt Parkway, West Side Highway, FDR, Laurelton Parkway, and Bronx River Parkway.

Soggy Saturday

The rain has already moved in and is expected to last into the start of Saturday night. The heaviest rain will happen Saturday afternoon.

The rain will be from a storm system that started in the deep South and move north up the East Coast. The rain should be gone by 6 p.m. Sunday will be dry.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch across all five boroughs from 4 a.m. Saturday morning through 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Flooding on streets and highways is likely on Saturday afternoon. However, flooding in the subway or basements isn’t expected. Winds and high tides are not expected to be an issue either.

To get flooding in basements, we typically need to have a rainfall rate of nearly 2 inches an hour. This storm is only expected to have maximum rainfall rates of a half inch an hour.

If you’re traveling on Saturday, this storm will be a snow event well north of the city, near Lake George and the Adirondacks. Snowfall totals could reach double digits. Be ready for tough travel and heavy snow in those areas.

Flood Safety 

Be careful driving on Saturday. Heavy rain is likely to make for flooded roads and highways. It only takes 6 inches of water to stall most cars. 12 inches of water can float a car. Never drive or walk into a flooded roadway. You never know how deep the water is.

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Conclusion

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to the area, with the heaviest rain expected on Saturday afternoon. It’s essential to stay indoors and avoid flooded roads and highways. If you must travel, be cautious and prepared for snow in areas north of the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the expected amount of rainfall?

A: 2 to 3 inches of rain are expected.

Q: Will there be flooding in the subway or basements?

A: No, widespread basement or subway flooding is not expected.

Q: When is the heaviest rain expected?

A: The heaviest rain is expected on Saturday afternoon.

Q: What highways are likely to experience flooding?

A: The usual highways like the Belt Parkway, West Side Highway, FDR, Laurelton Parkway, and Bronx River Parkway are likely to experience flooding.

Q: Will there be any issues with high tides or winds?

A: No, high tides and winds are not expected to be an issue.