Governor Hochul: “My team and I have been monitoring the storm trajectory all day long. And the reality we have to deal with is this is our new normal. Once again, extreme weather is back, and now we've been upgraded to the fact that we'll have a 70 percent chance of flash flooding.”
Hochul: “It is going to result in havoc throughout the Downstate region – Long Island, New York City, the Hudson Valley. We could have anywhere from three to five inches of rain, one inch an hour. And that may not sound like a lot, but if you are driving on a road and you start to see the water puddling on the street, you need to get off the road immediately.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on 1010 WINS to update New Yorkers on extreme weather. The Governor urged New Yorkers today to prepare for heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding beginning overnight Thursday and continuing through Friday night in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island regions.
The current forecast predicts a widespread two to three inches of rain and locally heavy rainfall of five inches or more is possible, with rainfall rates reaching one inch per hour. These conditions may cause flash flooding in low-lying, flood-prone areas and areas that recently experienced heavy rainfall. In the event of flash flooding, commutes would be impacted on Friday. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to pay close attention to the forecast and changing conditions, and her administration stands ready to respond to extreme weather impacts in affected areas.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Lori Madden, 1010 WINS: We're now going to join Governor Kathy Hochul. She's with us live now on 1010 WINS 92.3 FM. Governor, you know the forecast. Why don't you tell us what the state is going to be doing ahead of this storm?
Governor Hochul: Thank you for having me on. My team and I have been monitoring the storm trajectory all day long. And the reality we have to deal with is this is our new normal. Once again, extreme weather is back, and now we've been upgraded to the fact that we'll have a 70 percent chance of flash flooding. And what that means is, the land, the ground is very saturated already from the previous rain. And so, it will not be able to absorb the rain.
It is going to result in havoc throughout the Downstate region – Long Island, New York City, the Hudson Valley. We could have anywhere from three to five inches of rain, one inch an hour. And that may not sound like a lot, but if you are driving on a road and you start to see the water puddling on the street, you need to get off the road immediately.
It could be dangerous. We've had circumstances as recently as this summer where vehicles were swept away. And also in our homes, we've had literally houses washed away. So I just wanted people to know we're preparing. Our state watch center is monitoring the weather. Thruway Authority and DOT, we already have 2,000 pieces of equipment and staff ready to go.
And utility workers, if the power lines come down, as often happens during these events, we'll have over 5,500 utility workers ready. And the MTA and Port Authority are ready throughout the system to target the at-risk stations. And so, that's what's going on right now. Again, we're getting used to the rain, but this could quickly morph into a life threatening, dangerous event, and I wanted to prepare New Yorkers for that possibility.
Lori Madden, 1010 WINS: Governor Kathy Hochul, live with us now on 1010 WINS. Governor, the storm isn't here yet, but do we have any closures or cancellations ahead of this storm? Governor? Oh, I think we – oh there you are. I think we just lost you for a second there.
Governor Hochul: It will be very expected.
Lori Madden, 1010 WINS: Okay. You know what? I think we just had, we had some trouble with the broadcast for just a moment there. I think we just lost you. But I was asking about any closures or cancellations ahead of the storm announced by the state?
Governor Hochul: Not that the state is involved with, but certainly if there's any disruption to the normal MTA schedules, our trains, our buses, we'll make sure the public is aware of that. No road closures yet, but we are really expecting the worst overnight. And certainly, a flood watch is in effect all the way through Friday evening. We may not be seeing the worst of it yet. I'm literally on the streets in Harlem, and it's coming down like a normal rain. But we're also monitoring this closely. It's not certain which areas will be hit the hardest. But that's why all New Yorkers need to be vigilant for the next 24 hours.
Lori Madden, 1010 WINS: Okay, thank you very much. Governor Kathy Hochul joining us live on 1010 WINS 92.3 FM tonight with a warning about tomorrow's storm, a coastal storm moving into our area. We could see in the city, two to four inches of rain with the threat of flash flooding.