United States Severe Weather Triggers Tornado Warning for New York Queens and Nassau
United States severe weather has triggered flash flooding, tornado warnings and damaging wind alerts across multiple states including New York, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama and Pennsylvania. A tornado warning was issued for Queens County and Nassau County in New York until 7:15 p.m. Thursday with flooding already reported in parts of the city. [3] Flash Flood Warnings were issued for Bernalillo, New Mexico after up to 1.25 inches of rain fell and for parts of New York and New Jersey after 1 to 1.5 inches of rain with rates up to 1.5 inches per hour. [1][3] Severe Thunderstorm Warnings cover portions of eastern Mississippi including Kemper, Leake, Newton, Winston, Scott, Neshoba and Lauderdale counties until 9:45 p.m. CDT. [2] A severe thunderstorm producing 60 mph wind gusts was reported over Lexington in Lauderdale County, Alabama, threatening roof, siding and tree damage. [4] Small stream flooding from excessive rainfall is occurring in south central Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and northwestern Philadelphia County with the Wissahickon Creek above flood stage. [5]
Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings Hit New York Metro Area
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for all or part of New York City. [3] Immediately go indoors and/or to the lowest floor of your building for shelter. [3] Stay away from windows. [3] During a tornado warning, be prepared to potentially lose power. [3] Charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn refrigerators and freezers to a colder setting. [3] Always stay clear of downed power lines. [3] If you are affected by the outage, turn off all appliances, avoid downed and hanging power lines, and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage. [3] Do not use generators indoors. [3] If you lose power and have a disability or access needs, or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, please dial 9‑1‑1. [3] The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of New York and New Jersey until 7:45 p.m. EDT Thursday. [3] Areas under the warning include Southern Bergen County, New Jersey, Essex County, New Jersey, Hudson County, New Jersey, Eastern Passaic County, New Jersey, Northeastern Union County, New Jersey, Bronx County, New York, Kings (Brooklyn) County, New York, New York (Manhattan) County, New York, Queens County, New York and Richmond (Staten Island) County, New York. [3] At 5:39 p.m. EDT, the NWS said Doppler radar showed thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [3] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with rainfall rates of up to 1.5 inches per hour possible. [3] Another 1 to 2 inches of rain could fall in the warned area, the NWS said, adding that flash flooding was already occurring or could begin shortly. [3] Flooding has already been reported in parts of New York. [3] Several parts of New York City saw flooding as severe weather moved through the city Thursday evening. [3] A video circulating on social media appeared to show rainwater pouring onto a subway platform at Penn Station as heavy storms hit the city. [3] Heavy rain was also reported in Chelsea, Manhattan, and around the Clearview Expressway in Bayside, Queens. [3] The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway was closed in both directions at Queens Boulevard in Queens. [3] The Long Island Expressway was also closed in both directions at Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. [3] Drivers were advised to seek alternate routes. [3]
Flash Flooding Underway in New Mexico
Flash Flood Warning for Bernalillo, NM. [1] At 747 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [1] Up to 1.25 inches of rain have fallen. [1] Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected. [1] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [1] Hazard is flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. [1] Source is radar indicated. [1] Impact includes flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. [1]
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Across Mississippi Counties
The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Eastern Leake County in central Mississippi, Northern Newton County in east central Mississippi, Southwestern Kemper County in east central Mississippi, South central Winston County in east central Mississippi, Northeastern Scott County in central Mississippi, Neshoba County in east central Mississippi and Northwestern Lauderdale County in east central Mississippi. [2] The warning is until 945 PM CDT. [2]
Damaging Winds Threaten Northern Alabama
At 845 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lexington, or 19 miles northeast of Florence, moving east at 30 mph. [4] Hazard is 60 mph wind gusts. [4] Source is radar indicated. [4] Impact is expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [4] Locations impacted include Killen, Lexington, Anderson, Lester, Green Hill, Good Springs, Center Star, Kingtown, Whitehead, and Cairo. [4]
Small Stream Flooding in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. [5] The warning covers South Central Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania and Northwestern Philadelphia County in southeastern Pennsylvania. [5] The warning is until 145 AM EDT. [5] Impacts include flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. [5] The Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington is above flood stage. [5] At 945 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated the conditions. [5]
Emergency Guidance for Residents
The New York City Emergency Management issued a statement, saying, "The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for all or part of New York City. Immediately go indoors and/or to the lowest floor of your building for shelter. Stay away from windows." [3] "During a tornado warning, be prepared to potentially lose power. Charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn refrigerators and freezers to a colder setting. Always stay clear of downed power lines. If you are affected by the outage, turn off all appliances, avoid downed and hanging power lines, and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage. Do not use generators indoors. If you lose power and have a disability or access needs, or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, please dial 9‑1‑1. For more information, visit www.weather.gov/nyc." [3]
What to watch next: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas will continue in Bernalillo, New Mexico. [1] The severe thunderstorm located over Lexington in Lauderdale County, Alabama, is moving east at 30 mph. [4]
