The front end of a powerful nor’easter expected to bring hurricane-force gusts and punishing rain plagued the tri-state area Monday morning with intense winds — ripping parts of roofs from buildings, toppling trees, delaying air travel — and Storm Team 4 says the system is likely to intensify.
New York City, Long Island and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut are under a slew of weather advisories, watches and warnings. See the latest Storm Team 4 updates for your county and school closings.
By mid-morning Monday, winds howled across the region, churning sand along the Jersey Shore and parts of Long Island, where a downed utility pole prompted an LIRR suspension on the Port Washington Branch, and rattling windows of midtown skyscrapers. Gusts of nearly 45 mph were recorded in Central Park shortly after 10 a.m., and about two hours later, fire officials say debris fell from the roof of a building on East 18th Street onto a car, though authorities couldn’t immediately confirm the accident was weather-related.
Rainfall and wind gusts will strengthen Monday afternoon and evening, with gusts of more than 60 mph possible along the coast, Storm Team 4 says. Winds at that speed may cause flying debris and turn improperly secured objects into projectiles. Power outages are also possible across the tri-state, particularly in neighborhoods with electric lines near the coast.