Flash floods eyed in NYC as Hurricane Nicole remnants bring heavy rain, wind, Hochul warns

Remnants of Hurricane Nicole could turn the Big Apple into a big mess late Friday into Saturday.

The storm, which hit Florida’s east coast Thursday morning as a rare November hurricane, has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it travels up the East Coast.

But as its weakened remnants combine with an approaching front Friday, state and local authorities are asking New Yorkers to remain on high alert.

Mayor Adams said in a statement Friday afternoon that while an improving forecast shows that “the worst of the storm will not pass over New York City,” city officials remain vigilant as they continue to monitor the system.

“Our teams have also spent the week cleaning catch basins to reduce potential flooding. We expect rain to continue this afternoon through the night and into Saturday morning. I encourage New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC alerts to receive the latest updates,” he added.

Around 2 p.m., Con Edison sent out a text message to about 2 million customers in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Westchester and Staten Island urging them to “stay away from downed wires.”

“We’re preparing for the heavy rain and strong winds in your area this weekend. If your power goes out, reply OUT to let us know, and we’ll send you updates as restorations progress,” the alert said.

The message wasn’t sent to Manhattan residents because the electrical grid is underground — and not because Manhattan is going to be spared by the weather pattern.

On Thursday, Gov. Hochul said that “starting Friday night, a late-season weather system has the potential to dump three inches or more of rain in some locations, and I urge all New Yorkers to prepare in the event of a flooding situation.”

“If you are planning to travel Friday and Saturday, please use caution and check local weather conditions before heading out,” she added.

Walter Williams, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson, said in a video shared on Twitter late Friday morning that the storm will impact the East Coast “all day today.”

“If you’re traveling to the East Coast — specifically Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., airports — you can expect travel delays due to the remnants of [Nicole].”

Windy conditions are already impacting air travel from Newark Liberty International Airport, which was operating with an average departure delay of 63 minutes as of 1 p.m., according to the FAA.

A pedestrian crosses E. 62nd St. at Madison Ave. in Manhattan, New York, in this file photo.

Showers started around noon Friday, and the New York City area should expect 1 to 1.5 inches of rain through Saturday morning.

City officials say that isolated flash floods are possible, but there’s a low flash flood threat overall.

Thunderstorms are possible Friday night and winds should pick up speed starting at 9 p.m.

From 9 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday, wind speeds are expected to be around 25 mph with 45 mph gusts possible. Minor coastal flooding on Saturday morning is also possible, officials said.

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