Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman held a press conference today to warn residents about a potentially severe storm that could lead to heavy rainfall, power outages, and flash flooding.
Experts have informed county officials that 2-3 inches of rain per hour could begin falling between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday and that there is up to a 70% chance of flash flooding. Most of the heaviest rainfall is expected to occur over a 3-4 hour period that should end by midnight. However, lingering light to moderate showers overnight could prolong flooding into Friday morning.
County Executive Blakeman activated the County’s Emergency Operations Center to respond to this event and stated that residents should exercise extreme caution.
“A message to all of our residents: stay home this evening unless it’s absolutely necessary for you to go out. The roads could get severely flooded. Do not try to drive through a flooded road. What may appear to be shallow water to you could be 3-4 feet, and that could be a dangerous situation,” he stated.
The County Executive has urged businesses to let non-essential employees leave work early ahead of any potential flooding, and all summer camps were similarly instructed to send campers home before the roads became too dangerous.
Nassau County, the Office of Emergency Management, and other local departments are fully prepared for this weather event and are taking active measures to protect residents and property. Over 20 high-axle vehicles will be placed in areas prone to flooding to respond to emergencies. The Department of Public Works will also be using pumps to move water out of flooded zones and putting out barricades to prevent access to dangerous areas.
In addition to sheltering at home, residents are being urged to check on family members and neighbors once conditions become safer. In the event of a power outage or downed power lines, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric service number at 800-490-0075. Do not approach downed power lines yourself.
To allow emergency personnel to be most effective, do not tie up emergency phone lines with non-emergency calls. Officials are actively monitoring flooded areas, and Nassau County will update the public with more information as it becomes available.