The city’s mayor, Zohran Kwame Mamdani together with New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) activated a travel advisory on Friday, September 25 at 2 p.m. that will remain in force through the morning of Sunday, September 27. The advisory follows an updated forecast from the National Weather Service that shifts the storm’s trajectory farther west, placing New York City directly in the path of heavier rain, stronger gusts and the risk of coastal flooding during high tides.
According to the latest model runs, the city can expect between 2 and 3 inches of rain across most neighborhoods, with isolated pockets receiving up to 4-5 inches where bands of heavy precipitation linger. Wind speeds are projected to peak at 40-50 mph from Friday night into Saturday night, intensifying on bridges, elevated roadways and exposed waterfronts. These conditions create a perfect storm for downed trees, power line damage and temporary road closures.
What the nor’easter will bring to New York City
Coastal flooding is forecast for the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, roughly between 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 a.m.-8:40 a.m. on Saturday. Moderate flooding is most likely in southern Queens—particularly the Rockaways and around Jamaica Bay—and along sections of the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines. Minor to moderate inundation may affect Flushing Bay, while the Battery could see minor flooding. Low-lying streets and waterfront roads could become impassable, and vehicles parked in flood-prone zones risk damage.
Rain will likely begin as early as Friday evening and continue nonstop through the weekend, with the most intense downpours arriving on Saturday. Although a widespread flash-flood event is not expected, isolated flash-flooding remains possible in areas with poor drainage, underpasses, and roadways that sit below street level. The Wind Advisory that started at 2 p.m. Friday warns that gusts may be stronger on exposed structures, and saturated soils combined with full leaf cover raise the likelihood of falling branches and snapped power lines.
How to stay safe and keep moving this weekend
City officials stress a proactive approach. Travelers should allow extra time for commuting, double-check train, ferry and flight statuses, and avoid low-lying coastal routes during high tide. Residents of basement or ground-floor apartments in flood-sensitive neighborhoods should identify at least two egress routes, keep essential items on a higher floor, and be prepared to evacuate if water begins to enter. Never walk or drive through moving water—six inches can knock a person down, and a foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Outdoor belongings such as patio furniture, grills, planters, garbage cans and any loose items on balconies should be secured or stored indoors before the winds pick up. When possible, move cars away from streets known to flood regularly, and park on higher ground. Power-dependent medical equipment users are urged to register with their utility provider, charge backup batteries, and have a plan for an outage.
The city’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan is now active, coordinating with the NWS, state agencies, utility providers and the Department of Transportation, which has positioned thousands of trucks, excavators, water pumps and crews across the region. Con Ed is also on standby, offering text alerts and outage-reporting tools for customers.
Neighbors are encouraged to check on older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone living in basements or low-lying homes. The free Notify NYC alert system can be activated by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692, and basement residents may opt-in for automated flood calls. For a full checklist of preparedness steps, visit the city’s official readiness page.
Finally, a high risk of rip currents and hazardous surf will persist through the weekend. City beaches have been closed since September 13, and lifeguards are not on duty; swimming is prohibited. Keep an eye on official updates; the forecast may evolve as the storm progresses, and NYCEM promises to issue further bulletins as needed.
