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Three-Day Nor'easter Batters Long Island's South Shore

Cleanup and sand replenishment are underway because experts say a strong El Niño plus a blocking ridge raised coastal storm risk.

Overview

  • The nor'easter lingered for three days over the weekend, delivering sustained onshore winds, an 81 mph gust at Montauk Point and more than 5.3 inches of rain at Upton.
  • The storm toppled roughly 2,000 trees and caused about 128,000 power outages, which PSEG Long Island says it has restored to almost all affected customers.
  • South Shore communities saw severe flooding with streets washed up to Montauk Highway and Lindenhurst roads under about 2½ feet of water, while beaches such as Gilgo and Tobay lost large amounts of sand.
  • Local crews have been clearing hundreds of tree-blocked sites and pumping flooded streets, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers together with state parks have mobilized sand-replenishment and repair work at damaged beaches and Jones Beach facilities.
  • Residents faced canceled events, flooded homes and disrupted youth sports, and experts warn that higher seas and this year's strong El Niño could make similar multi-day coastal storms more frequent, putting further strain on vulnerable South Shore neighborhoods.