Storm set to slam NYC area, could bring more flash flooding

A storm was set to batter the tri-state area on Wednesday night with heavy rain and the possibility of flash floods — one week after Hurricane Ida left dozens dead in New York and New Jersey.

The storm was not expected to be as catastrophic as Ida but thunderstorms are expected to move into the area around 10 p.m., and linger until morning, according to Accuweather senior meteorologist Dave Dombeck.

A humid air mass colliding with a cold front could produce damaging winds and maybe even an isolated tornado, northwest of the city, in New Jersey and parts of upstate New York, the meteorologist predicted.

“There is potential that any of these showers and thunderstorms could produce downpours that could renew some flooding issues,” Dombeck said.

“It would be more of the flash flood situations… but nothing to the magnitude of what we dealt with when Ida was coming through. Not anything near that much.”

The storm will slow down cleanup efforts in areas that were flooded by unprecedented rainfall last week, but New Yorkers won’t expect a repeat of the dramatic flooding scenes on subways and streets, according to Dombeck.

“Let’s face it. People just experienced something that was pretty traumatic in their lives. Some people had damage to their homes, some people actually lost a lot in this. So I’m sure it’s going to cause a lot of angst and a lot of anxiety here with people.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul was warning New Yorkers to prepare for the rainfall in flood-prone areas, as flash flood watches were issued for Orange, Rockland and Sullivan counties, northwest of the city.

“We witnessed the painful devastation left by the remnants of Hurricane Ida and, out of an abundance of caution, we are now keeping a close eye on this week’s storms and any potential impacts they may cause across New York,” the Democrat said in a statement.

“I am urging New Yorkers to prepare for any inclement weather that may head our way and monitor local forecasts.”

Hochul directed the MTA to shore up the subway and Metro-North in anticipation of the storm, adding workers will inspect track drains in flood-prone areas, and check and stage track pumps and storm boxes, after last week’s soaking of the transit system.

The governor also cautioned New Yorkers to have a plan to escape from their homes after unexpectedly severe flooding killed dozens of people in the tri-state area just a week ago.

“It’s going to be kind of a nail-biter situation for a lot of people, they’re just kinda shell shocked from what just happened, but again it’s not anything near what we dealt with with Ida,” Dombeck added.

Although another powerful storm, Hurricane Larry was churning it’s way up the coast at about 1,200 miles off shore, Dombeck said Wednesday night’s storm has “nothing to do with Larry at all.”

Larry is expected to bring rough surf and rip currents to ocean beaches where lifeguards are now off duty.

Meanwhile, forecasters issued storm warnings for the Florida panhandle as Tropical Storm Mindy formed in the Gulf of Mexico.