NEW YORK — Tropical Storm Fay battered the Northeast Friday, not only drenching the region but causing rip currents, flooding, and bringing with it dangerous winds that damaged vehicles and prompted power outages.
The storm brought heavy rain and gusty winds throughout the day, causing Flash Flood Warnings and advisories across the region. Parts of New Jersey, New York City and Long Island experienced flooding in some neighborhoods.
Periods of heavy downpours continued through the afternoon and evening hours.
Despite the downpours, the storm weakened after making landfall Friday afternoon.
The storm system was expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, with the possibility of flash flooding in parts of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England. That’s down from earlier forecasts of about 3 to 5 inches of rain.
The fast-moving storm developed late Thursday afternoon off the coast of North Carolina and made its way to the tri-state area by late Friday morning.
Tropical Storm Warnings, and Flash Flood Warnings and Watches and Flood Advisories, were issued for New York City and the surrounding areas as Fay was expected to bring torrential downpours and gusty winds of 39 to 57 mph.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect until further notice.
Fay is the first Tropical Storm Warning in the New York area in the month of July since Hurricane Bertha in 1996.
Strong winds could cause tree limbs and other objects to fall, leading to power outages. Thousands of residents in New York and New Jersey have reported power outages across the state.
Along the coast, Fay caused heavy surf, creating some beach erosion along coastal sections. The risk for dangerous rip currents will be high and swimming is not advised. Despite all these issues along the coast, the risk for a storm surge will be minimal.
Conditions may improve as early as Saturday morning. The sun will break out and temperatures could approach 90 degrees. During the afternoon, a cold front will approach bringing the risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms.
It remains hot heading into Sunday with highs at around 90 again. The difference will be a slight drop in the humidity.
