Strong winds, heavy rain, flooding hit New York City region

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A nor'easter-like storm is moving through the tri-state region around New York City, bringing with it strong winds, plenty of rain and some flooding.

The weather system comes on the heels of what was thought could be a devastating hit by Hurricane Joaquin, which was projected to head directly toward the region in the initial models earlier in the week. Joaquin now appears be heading back out to sea as it moves northward. So there's been no shortage of preparations in advance of Friday's weather.

For much of the region, the biggest impact has been wind gusts and rain. There have likely many umbrella casualties, like this one:

However, along the Atlantic coast, the ocean was ferocious as the high tide came in just before noon:

The Jersey Shore area has already experienced some flooding, as you can see here:

Residents in Seaside Heights know painfully well the potential havoc from a coastal storm. In preparation, officials cleaned out storm drains in the streets, they asked residents to move all cars from flood prone areas, and they have on standby a convoy of army vehicles and Humvees that can drive through four feet of water.

They are not anticipating the need for evacuations this weekend. They do have shelters on stand-by in Toms River and if the governor calls for evacuations, the mayor says it will be mandatory. They're not going to risk the lives of rescue workers.

And the water is continuing to rise:

And in Long Beach, N.J., the police department said there's beach erosion and moderate to major flooding, making much of Long Beach Boulevard south of 25th Street in Ship Bottom to North Beach Haven impassable.

There has been significant flooding in Monmouth Beach, N.J., causing cars to get stuck in flood waters and closing some roads. This was the scene at the intersection of Channel Drive and River Avenue:

There was also flooding in Brooklyn. This was a car in the water in Red Hook:

Here is the forecast for the rest of the storm:

SATURDAY

Rain will lighten up on Saturday with the main concern being additional coastal flooding.

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