Tropical Storm Jose brings minor flooding to Suffolk County

Stacey Sager Image
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Tropical Storm Jose bring minor flooding to Suffolk County
Stacey Sager reports on the effects of Tropical Storm Jose.

LINDENHURST, Long Island (WABC) -- Tropical Storm Jose has been impacting the South Shore of Long Island, kicking up big waves, rip currents, and some coastal flooding.

There was some street flooding Wednesday morning in Lindenhurst, but not as severe as had been feared.

One large section of Pacific Street on West Lido Promenade was under water.

The mayor of Lindenhurst says crews have been on standby if the storm intensified and are prepared in case high tide brings more flooding.

There was minor flooding in some low-lying communities, including Jones Drive in Sayville.

The parking lot to the Fire Island ferry in Sayville was also flooded out. The Bayshore lots were not impacted.

Beach erosion continues to be a major concern along the South Shore.

The visitors center in Dix Hills on Long Island is where New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has storm equipment for the duration of Jose and throughout any potential threat of Hurricane Maria.

Additionally, there are 100 national guard members on standby, more than 31,000 ready-to-eat meals, PSEG trucks, Homeland Security, search and rescue boats, and giant "sand bagging" machines.

Regarding such extensive prep for a storm that may not be a major event in Long Island, the governor said, "We are prepared for whatever it is, or whatever it isn't."

Jose continues to track northeastward across the open waters of the western Atlantic. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Jose weakened to a tropical storm Tuesday evening and has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph on Wednesday. The tropical storm was centered about 200 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, moving northeast at 8 mph. The storm is expected to gradually weaken through the rest of this week and eventually lose its tropical characteristics.