Weather in New York: Report of coastal flooding affecting Manhattan on Thursday

At 6:38 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flooding advisory effective for Manhattan between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Thursday.

The weather service adds: “Flooding of up to a foot above ground level is expected in vulnerable areas near the water and shoreline.”

“Partial water on low-lying roads and properties,” explains the weather service. “Do not drive through flooded streets.”

Weather Alerts Breakdown: Advisories, Watches and Warnings

• Flash flood warning: take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you find yourself in a flood-prone area, move to higher ground immediately. A flash flood is a sudden, intense flood that can take minutes to hours to develop. Flash flooding may even occur in areas where it does not rain immediately.

• Flood warning: take action!

A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or is already underway.

• Flood Warning: Be Aware:

A flood warning is issued when flooding is not expected to be severe enough to trigger a warning. However, this can cause significant inconvenience and, if not careful, can result in situations that can endanger life and/or property.

• Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood warning is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It is not a guarantee that flooding will occur, but it does mean that the possibility exists.

Stay safe during floods: competent advice from the weather service

In flood-prone regions or when camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the Weather Service's flood prevention guidelines can be life-saving:

Find higher ground:

If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is to move to higher ground.

Follow evacuation instructions:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, follow it immediately. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and devices:

If time permits, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid flooded basements and flooded areas:

Avoid basements or flooded rooms with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

Quick evacuation for your safety:

If you notice sparks or hear any humming, crackling, cracking or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Do not enter water that may be electrically charged.

Stay away from flooding:

Never attempt to walk through flood water, even if it appears shallow. Just 15 centimeters of water with high current speed can force you off your feet.

Find high ground if trapped:

If you become trapped by flowing water, reach the highest point possible and call 911 to contact emergency services.

Heavy rain can lead to flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. According to the weather service, it only takes 30 centimeters of water to wash away most cars. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Mastering wet roads: safety tips in heavy rain

Heavy rains, if prolonged or excessive runoff, can cause flooding. Excessive runoff may be due to saturated soil and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these weather service recommendations to stay safe during heavy rain:

Beware of swelling waterways:

Avoid parking or walking close to culverts or drainage ditches as the fast-flowing water during heavy rain may potentially sweep you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule of maintaining distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend the time to four seconds to ensure a safe distance in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay careful:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, drive slower. Take your foot off the accelerator and let the speed gradually decrease. Never apply the brakes suddenly as this may cause the vehicle to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay in the middle lanes to minimize the risk of aquaplaning. The outer lanes are more prone to water accumulation.

Prioritize visibility:

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be aware of vehicles in blind spots as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Be careful of slippery roads:

During the first half hour of rain, the roads are most slippery due to a mix of rain, dirt and oil. Be particularly careful during this time.

Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can obscure your visibility from tire spray. Avoid traffic jams and pass through them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain significantly reduces your visibility, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.
• If the side of the road is your only option, drive off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guardrail, and wait for the storm to pass. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

During heavy rain, these precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to keep up to date with weather conditions and follow advice from local authorities to ensure a safe journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.