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Storm update: What’s canceled, postponed and still on this weekend as East End braces for nor’easter

By Brendan Carpenter

Nor’easter forecast to slam the region this weekend is expected to bring gusts up to 60 mph. (Credit: National Weather Service)

Thar she blows! Riverhead officials and event organizers raced to make final preparations Friday ahead of a powerful nor’easter expected to hammer the East End with strong winds, coastal flooding and widespread disruptions.

The Town of Riverhead warned residents Friday morning that one to two feet of water above ground is expected in vulnerable waterfront areas, with numerous road closures likely and vehicles parked near the waterfront at risk of flooding. The threat of flooding could also extend inland along tidal rivers and bays.

Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski said his crews have been preparing for the nor’easter.

“Our department all week has been pumping drains down, cleaning drains, making sure the debris is removed around drains,” Mr. Zaleski said. “We’ve been sharpening chainsaws, servicing our tree truck and woodchippers. We’ve been spending the entire week storm prepping, fueling vehicles, greasing payloaders, making sure dump trucks are ready.”

Mr. Zaleski said he expects flooding, fallen trees and limbs and urged residents to stay off the roads if possible.

“I do expect flooding to occur. I expect trees and limbs to come down,” he said. “My advice to residents is to treat it like a blizzard. Please stay home if you can, and not go out unless it’s an emergency. Less traffic on the roads makes our job easier and more efficient.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine declared a state of emergency on Friday for Suffolk County ahead of the nor’easter. Governor Kathy Hochul also declared a state of emergency for the area.

Several events in the Riverhead area scheduled for this weekend have ben called off due to the nor’easter, including Riverhead Raceway’s championship weekend, which has been rescheduled for Oct. 3 and 4. The Wading River-Shoreham Chamber Fall Festival has been moved to Oct. 18.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory from 2 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday and a coastal flood warning from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday.

In Riverhead, high tides are expected at 12:04 a.m. and 12:21 p.m. Saturday and 12:42 a.m. and 12:59 p.m. Sunday, according to the town advisory. Residents in low-lying waterfront areas should be especially alert around those periods.

Forecasters expect 3 to 4 inches of rain across central and eastern Long Island through Sunday, with the strongest winds Friday night through Saturday night. Gusts will generally reach 40 to 50 mph and could locally approach 55 mph. Rain may linger into Monday.

The expected strong winds could knock out power, officials warned.

“We continue to monitor this weather system and have performed system and logistic checks to ensure any customers who may be affected will have their power restored safely and as quickly as possible,” PSEG Long Island Electric Operations VP Michael Sullivan said.

Residents can report outages to PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075, through the utility’s app or by texting OUT to 773454. Downed wires must be reported by phone.

Elsewhere on the East End, the storm has forced the postponement or cancellation of several major events, including Greenport’s 36th annual Maritime Festival.

“Maritime has always been about our relationship with the water – and part of that is respecting the conditions around us,” head of the event steering committee Sarah Phillips-Loth said.

Schedule changes due to the nor’easter announced so far include:

  • Riverhead Raceway Championship Saturday and Sunday: Rescheduled for Oct. 3 and 4.
  • Wading River-Shoreham Chamber Fall Festival: Rescheduled for Oct. 18.
  • Greenport Maritime Festival: The Land and Sea Gala will now take place Friday, Oct. 16, with the festival following Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18.
  • Orient Beach State Park guided kayak tour: Rescheduled for Oct. 3.
  • CAST’s “A Night at the Opera” fundraiser: Canceled.
  • Greenport 2D Shop opening: Grand opening rescheduled to coincide with the Maritime Festival on Oct. 16.
  • Cross Sound Ferry: Weather-related cancellations have been announced as high seas threaten weekend travel.
  • Bug Light Classic Regatta: A decision will be made Saturday. The Regatta, Reggae & Rum after-party will go on regardless at the Greenport American Legion.
  • New York Marine Rescue Center Turtle Crawl: Still on, rain or shine.
  • Southold Fire Department Steak Night: Still on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Sept. 26 concert by pianist Magdalena Baczewska at Jamesport Meeting House: rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The Meeting House will honor tickets previously purchased for the Sept. 26 performance or patrons may request a refund.

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