Storm Surge in New York, August 28, 2011

The NOS tidal gauge at the Battery recorded a maximum water level of 9.50 ft. MLLW at 842 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding. In the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, water inundated about 100 yards inland along portions of Gowanus Bay/Canal. In the Battery Park City section of Manhattan, 1 to 2 ft. of inundation occurred along the promenade. In addition, 1 foot of water inundation was experienced over the marina in front of the Mercatile Exchange. On the East Side of Manhattan, the combination of heavy rain and storm surge caused inundation of a few feet of water onto both directions of the FDR at Houston Street and necessitated its closure. About a foot of water inundated the streets in South Street Seaport. On the west side of Manhattan, the southbound Henry Hudson Drive was closed in Harlem due to combined heavy rain and storm surge causing 3 feet of water to stand over the roadway. Similarly, the north part of the Holland Tunnel was closed due to heavy rain and storm surge flooding. Also the West Village Houses on the southern end of 10th Ave. were closed with 2 cars stuck due to heavy rain and storm surge flooding.

The NOS tidal gauge at the Bergen Point recorded a maximum water level of 10.22 ft MLLW at 842 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

The USGS tidal gauge in Jamaica Bay at Inwood recorded a maximum water level of 7.53 ft. NGVD at 930 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding along the coastline. In Broad Channel, several feet of inundation occurred across many streets with people rowing down streets in boats. Many residents said their basements had been flooded when the high tide began coming in between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday. Two bungalows that could only be reached by a damaged pier off of 12th Road were destroyed, leaving a pile of wood and personal items floating in the water. The Broad Channel neighborhood was completely cut off during the storm as both the Addabbo Bridge to Howard Beach and Cross Bay Bridge to Rockaway were closed.|In Inwood, several feet of inundation occurred on Brookville Blvd. from 149th Street to Rockaway Boulevard. In Howard Beach, Hawtreek and Shellbank Basins rose over their banks, flooding Cross Bay Boulevard for a short time around 161st Avenue. First Street in Hamilton Beach bore the brunt of the floodwaters, with the streets around Coleman Square and the Howard Beach subway station also flooding. In the Rockaways, inundation was reported onto several main streets with 2 feet of water in the middle of Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

The USGS tidal gauge at Jamaica Bay at Inwood recorded a maximum water level of 7.53 ft NGVD at 930 am on August 28th 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding. The USGS tidal gauge at Rockaway Inlet near Floyd Bennet Field recorded a maximum water level of 7.58 ft NGVD at 830 am on August 28th 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding along the coastline. In East New York, the right lane of Erskine St was closed due to inundation from heavy rain and storm surge. In Coney Island, several harbor facing streets and the subway train storage yard were underwater. In Sheepshead Bay, the Belt Parkway eastbound at Knapp Street was closed due to a combination of heavy rain and storm surge. Additionally, the Belt Parkway was closed in both directions from Bay 8th Street to Bay Parkway due to coastal flooding.

The USGS tidal gauge at West Pond at Glen Cove recorded a maximum water level of 9.26 ft. NGVD at 1030 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding. In Asharoken, 1-3 feet of inundation was experienced onto Asharoken Avenue at Bevin Road. Waves crashed onto and over the seawall with spray 10 to 15 feet in the air.

The USGS tidal gauge in Hudson Bay at Freeport recorded a maximum water level of 7.37 ft. NGVD at 836 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for major coastal flooding. The USGS tidal gauge in Reynolds Channel at Point Lookout recorded a maximum water level of 6.97 ft. NGVD at 830 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding along the coastline. In East Rockaway, the canal overflowed along West Boulevard in Bay Park with several feet of water into street and adjacent houses. In Seaford, canals overflowed with a few feet of water inundation into houses and streets on either side. In Freeport, water rose up to the street near the tide gauge with 3 feet of water inundation on the north end of Nautical Mile. Additionally, Merrick Rd. became impassable due to flooding. In Bellmore, Merrick Rd. south was inundated with water up to 4 ft. deep in spots. In Wantagh, roads were closed from Mandalay School to Seaford Harbor. In Long Beach, the ocean flooded to park avenue in a few places with the Great South Bay flooding 1-2 blocks in places. Storm surge of at least 7 feet was observed at Long Beach and Lido Beach. In Long Beach, cars parked near the boardwalk had water over their roofs. Water was also observed coming over the retaining wall at National Boulevard and Shore Road.

The USGS tidal gauge in Great South Bay at Lindenhurst recorded a maximum water level of 5.26 ft. NGVD at 930 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for major coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding along the coastline. In Lindenhurst, the combination of storm surge and heavy rain resulted in most of the town of Lindenhurst being inundated by water from adjacent canals and streams. In Babylon, houses and streets alongside canals and docks were inundated with a couple of feet of water. In Robert Moses State Park, Burma Rd. was covered by 18 inches of saltwater and Davis Park Marina was completely inundated by a few feet of water. In Patchogue, Shorefront Park, Sandspit Marina, and Mascot Dock were inundated with 1-2 feet of water and wave action. Additionally, Smith Street and points to the south were flooded up to 4 feet deep.

The USGS tidal gauge in West Pond at Glen Cove recorded a maximum water level of 9.26 ft. NGVD at 1030 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the NWS threshold for moderate coastal flooding.

These water levels caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding. In Bayville, portions of Bayville Ave. and neighboring houses were inundated with a few feet of water.

Widespread moderate to major coastal flooding occurred along the coastline during the morning of August 28 2011. In Hampton Bays, Dune Road was inundated under 3 feet of water. In Southampton, immediate bay front streets and property were inundated with a few feet of water. In Smith Point Park, surge and wave action overwashed into the parking lot. In Mastic Beach, flooding as deep as 4 feet stretched 2000 feet inland from Moriches Bay.

The NOS tidal gauge at Kings Point recorded a maximum water level of 12.36 ft. MLLW at 1000 am on August 28 2011. In Astoria, this resulted in inundation of 1 to 2 feet of water onto Shore Blvd. in Astoria from Long Island Sound.

The NOS tidal gauge at Kings Point recorded a maximum water level of 12.36 ft. MLLW at 1000 am on August 28 2011.

A 68 year old male drowned in a marina off City Island, where he had gone to check on his boat.

The NOS tidal gauge at Kings Point recorded a maximum water level of 12.36 ft. MLLW at 1000 am on August 28 2011.