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Caufield reports: "The storm developing off the Carolinas is no Hurricane Sandy, but it could have winds that hit 60 mph and plenty of rain - and raise water levels two-and-a-half to four feet, say meteorologists."

Cars are submerged at the entrance to a parking garage in New York's Financial District in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday. (photo: Richard Drew/AP)
Cars are submerged at the entrance to a parking garage in New York's Financial District in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday. (photo: Richard Drew/AP)


Nor'easter Set to Hit New York on Wednesday

By Philip Caufield, New York Daily News

06 November 12

 

The storm developing off the Carolinas is no Hurricane Sandy, but it could have winds that hit 60 mph and plenty of rain - and raise water levels two-and-a-half to four feet, say meteorologists.

nother nasty bit of weather is headed New York's way. A "significant" nor'easter is developing off the coast of the Carolinas and on track to hit the New York area beginning at around dawn on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

The storm will not be as severe as Superstorm Sandy, but was packing rain and sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and wind gusts of up to 60 mph, meteorologist Joe Picca said.

"We're not expecting things to be on the level of Sandy," Picca said. "But it could lead to more power outages and slowdown of a recovery."

Around the city, water levels were expected to rise between two-and-a-half to four feet, and some areas, particularly those along the Rockaways, western Long Island Sound and the South Shore bays, could see some flooding, Picca said.

In a small bit of luck for weather-weary New Yorkers, the storm is arriving during lower-than usual tides, which diminishes the chances of severe flooding.

Sandy hit during a full moon, which meant the tides were higher - one of the many factors that made it a monster.

"The hope is in New York Harbor the surge in the harbor is going to be much lower," Picca said. "But even with minor coastal flooding, it could still impact Staten Island, with the heightened sensitivity they have there."

Wind gusts were expected to begin around sunrise on Wednesday, with the storm growing in intensity through the day and into Thursday.

New York could see more than two inches of rain, while parts of Connecticut and the Lower Hudson Valley should brace for snow, the weather service said.

Things were expected to clear up by Thursday evening.

Any damage caused by the storm would add insult to injury to the thousands in New York and New Jersey that were still picking through the wreckage of their ravaged homes.

Around 140,000 houses around the city were still without power on Sunday, and city officials were worried that a cold snap this week could prove fatal for some of the estimated 40,000 people left homeless by the superstorm.

"We're trying to (add shelters) every place we can," Mayor Bloomberg said on Sunday. "We're looking for places. We don't have a lot of empty housing in this city, so it's really a problem."

The National Weather Service urged New Yorkers not to panic over the latest bout of bad weather.

The best think you can do is prepare for high winds and rain and reach out to any neighbors who were still in the dark.

"If someone is without power and hasn't been able to monitor the forecast, let them know that we could see some strong winds and rain again," he said.

PHOTOS, NEWS & UPDATES: THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE SANDY

 

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