In Addition To Potentially Paralyzing Snow, LI Braces For Winds & Coastal Flooding
BAYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Snow will obviously be a big concern throughtout the Tri-State Area on Friday, but so will the winds and coastal flooding.
CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock took the Mobile Weather Lab to Bayville, Long Island on Thursday to explain why.
It was a peaceful day along the North Shore in Bayville. Seagulls floated without concern above the lapping waves. By Friday evening, though, the scene is expected change dramatically.
WCBS 880 Chief Meteorologist Craig Allen said hurricane-force winds will form off Long Island and will create storm surge of up to five feet -- about half of the surge from Superstorm Sandy.
Waves of three to five feet will crash in the area and coastal flooding will likely become an issue.
Rory Cohen lives just five houses from the Long Island Sound. She hadn't prepped yet and was hoping she wouldn't have to.
"I'm hoping that the winds won't be that high to carry the water over onto the street, but it's out of our control," Cohen said.
As the storm strengthens off the coast, winds will pick up and crank at a rate of 35 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph. The force of the wind will likely lead to some power problems, but will also push sea water onto land, WCBS 880's Allen said.
"There was a big flood here in '92 and that's when the bay met the Sound and it was really disastrous," Cohen said.
That's not part of the forecast this time around, but there are flooding concerns.
Towns along The Sound and the twins forks of Long Island are under a coastal flood watch. Friday night water levels will rise three to five feet above normal high tide.
Water may override roadways again, just as it did during Sandy and the subsequent nor'easter. Basements may flood as well.
LONG ISLAND RESIDENTS STOCKING UP FOR STORM
Some residents wasted little time Thursday. They stocked up on supplies.
News of big snow made for bustling business at King Kullen in Rockville Center. CBS 2's Murdock caught up with Kerri Chiara as she grabbed some snow storm staples -- bread and milk.
"We wanted to make sure we had supplies for the storm," Chiara said.
She said she'll be ready, but isn't looking forward to seeing serious snowfall.
"I don't want to shovel," Chiara said.
Her little one had a different take.
"I love snow," her daughter, Megan, said.
She said she couldn't wait to see those fluffy white flakes fall to make snow angels and snowmen.
Fred Farell typically tackles the chores on Thursday and admitted there was something different about his favorite shopping spot.
"Normally at this time of day they're pretty sparse," said Farell, of Lynbrook.
Not Thursday.
And the store manager cautioned about later, when the lines would be backed up into the aisles.
Dominick Aggat said he was hitting the store earlier than usual, "Because a storm is coming."
Breadman Michael Fischer said he didn't mind because storms are his bread and butter.
"Business like this is a bread man's paradise," he said.
And at 90 years old, Marie Fritz said she knows what it takes to be prepared.
"At this age, I don't care for it that much, but I used to love it," she said.
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