By Mike Busch

 

Fire Island and the South Shore are under a Blizzard Warning effective until Midnight tomorrow.  The models have moved the storm north and west from yesterday, introducing a better chance of rain or sleet to keep totals down.  However this also brings our area into the shield of stronger winds and raises the chances for coastal flooding.  Over the waters expect gale and storm force winds out of the northeast.

The main concern for Fire Island and  properties on the Great South Bay will be Tuesday morning’s high tide cycle which will be higher than normal due to the recent full moon.

Fire Island Ferries has suspended passenger service tomorrow and Wednesday. Check their site for updates.

From the National Weather Service:

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM EDT
TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A COASTAL FLOOD
WARNING, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM EDT TUESDAY. THE
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* LOCATIONS...ALONG THE SOUTH BAYS OF WESTERN LONG ISLAND AND
ATLANTIC OCEAN BEACHFRONT.

* TIDAL DEPARTURES...2 1/2 TO 3 FT ABOVE ASTRONOMICAL TIDES
  TUESDAY MORNING INTO EARLY AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING IS EXPECTED AROUND THE TIMES
  OF HIGH TIDE TUESDAY MORNING INTO EARLY AFTERNOON.

* COASTAL FLOOD IMPACTS...WIDESPREAD FLOODING OF VULNERABLE
  WATERFRONT AND SHORELINE ROADS AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES DUE TO
  HEIGHT OF STORM TIDE AND WAVE ACTION. INUNDATION OF 1 TO 2 FT IN
  THE LOWEST LYING SPOTS. NUMEROUS ROAD CLOSURES MAY BE NEEDED.

* BEACH EROSION IMPACTS...ELEVATED WATER LEVELS AND HIGH SURF OF 6
  TO 10 FT ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE BEACH EROSION ALONG THE ATLANTIC
  OCEAN BEACHFRONT ON TUESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS EXPECTED OR
OCCURRING. COASTAL RESIDENTS IN THE WARNED AREA SHOULD BE ALERT
FOR RISING WATER...AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROTECT LIFE
AND PROPERTY.