Tropical Storm Elsa tracked across the eastern portion of the area during the morning hours of July 9, with heavy rainfall north and west of the storm's center resulting in widespread flash flooding across southern Connecticut. 51 inches reported from the ASOS at the Meriden Airport.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS OKX wrote it up.
Tropical Storm Elsa tracked across the eastern portion of the area during the morning hours of July 9, with heavy rainfall north and west of the storm's center resulting in widespread flash flooding across southern Connecticut. Rainfall totals ranged from 3-5 inches across much of the area, including 4.09 inches reported from the ASOS at Bridgeport Airport and 3.51 inches reported from the ASOS at the Meriden Airport. A COOP observer in Guilford measured 4.30 inches of rain.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS New York, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 9, 7:04 AM EST, 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New York NY
804 AM EDT Fri Jul 9 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
Elsa will impact the area through this afternoon. Please refer
to the latest forecast and track information on Elsa from the
National Hurricane Center. A weak cold front approaches and
crosses the region later tonight before weak high pressure
builds in for the weekend. A warm front approaches Monday into
Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
Forecast is on track this hour as Elsa exited the NJ coast and
turned almost due east/northeast per latest 88D data on its
approach to eastern Long Island. Winds have picked up in
response, with a 51 mph gust reported at NDBC buoy 44025 and a
43 mph gust at the NYS Mesonet site at Brooklyn College. The
heaviest rainfall thus far has occurred across central/southern
Nassau County and parts of central and eastern Long Island and
SW CT, with a widespread 1-1.5 inches with locally 2.5 inches
reported thus far with the initial bands that have rotated
onshore.
Elsa will impact the area for much of the day today, and there
has not been much change in the forecast thinking with this
update. Heaviest precipitation per latest short term CAMs/HREF
do show an eastward shift in the axis of heaviest rainfall,so
have trimmed back QPF across the Lower Hudson Valley and SW CT.
Northeastern NJ and parts of southern CT do look to have the
best chance to exceed FFG (1-2" in 3 hrs) during the event so
this will have to be watched for possible flash flooding. Flash
flood watch remains in effect for the entire area through noon.
Flood advisories are in effect for much of these areas for the
next few hours.
Winds will be on the increase early this morning, with the
strongest sustained and gusts over eastern LI and eastern ocean
waters, gusting to 35-45kts through this morning. Elsewhere
across Long Island and southeastern CT, gusts to 35kts are
possible. 10m HRRR wind gust potential is depicting some gusts
35-40kts on the backside of the system over NYC and points east
for a brief period as well this morning as Elsa pulls away.
Temperatures today will be a bit cooler than previous days given the
cloud cover to start. Went similar to MOS with mid 80s highs across
the interior and upper 70s to low 80s for coastal regions.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/...
Wind and rain impacts from Elsa should wane by later this afternoon
into this evening as a cold front and attendant mid level wave
approach from the west. Once again, the area is under the threat for
scattered showers and thunderstorms by late afternoon. Short term
model soundings are indicating some marginal instability (1000-1500
J/kg SBCAPE), and 30-40kts of bulk shear by early evening north and
west of NYC. Based on model soundings, convective winds look to
be the greatest threat with any storms that do develop, through
this does not look to be widespread. As such, SPC has the
entire region in a marginal risk for severe storms later today.
Flash flooding would again be possible with any storms that
occur over areas that have already received rainfall from
Thursday's event or Elsa.
Quieter weather returns for Saturday as high pressure build back
in.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
No major changes to the long term with this update.
Upper ridge builds over the Atlantic into the start of the
period as an upper low deepens over the Central Plains. This
will result in a warming trend and increasing chances for
showers and thunderstorms for the area. Southwest flow aloft
tends to favor interior/western zones for best chances, but
there is some uncertainty regarding the the position of the
ridge and the track and timing of the associated upper low to
the north and west. The CWA could be close enough to the storm
track on the northern periphery of the ridge to produce several
rounds of active wx. On the other hand, a drier scenario would
favor a few airmass storms each day mainly over the interior.
For now, the blended approach was taken and the NBM followed.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Tropical Storm Elsa will pass south and east of the terminals
this morning, exiting quickly to the northeast this afternoon. A
cold front then crosses the region this evening.
MVFR to IFR conditions to start will rapidly improve to VFR from
west to east this morning. Sub-VFR conditions are then possible
again late this afternoon into this evening in additional
showers and thunderstorms.
N-NE winds 10-15 kt this morning will ultimately shift to the W
this afternoon. Gusts 25-30 kt are possible this morning at the
coast. Winds will then shift back to the N tonight at less than
10 kt.
NY Metro (KEWR/KLGA/KJFK/KTEB) TAF Uncertainty...
Amendments likely for category changes and wind shifts through the
morning. Wind shift timing could be off by 1-2 hours.
.OUTLOOK FOR 12Z SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...
.Sat...Mainly VFR. A few afternoon/evening showers possible.
.Sun-Tue... Mostly VFR. MVFR possible in showers and
thunderstorms.
Detailed information, including hourly TAF wind component forecasts,
can be found at: https:/www.weather.gov/zny/n90
&&
.MARINE...
Southerly winds and seas build ahead of Elsa's increase
this morning. Tropical storm conditions are likely today on the
eastern waters as Elsa passes through or nearby. Ocean seas
likely build to 8 to 12 ft. SCA continues for the Western Sound
and NY Harbor as there could be some gusts 25-30 kt late
tonight into early Friday. Please refer to the latest forecast
and track information on Elsa from the National Hurricane
Center. Winds and seas slowly subside late Friday into Friday
night as Elsa departs well to the north and east.
Seas continue to subside on Sat, with waves below 5 ft expected
by late day. Winds will be below SCA levels on all waters Sun-
Tue. Seas on the ocean may touch 5 ft at times Sun and Mon.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Flooding likely through midday Friday with periods of heavy
rain and potential thunderstorms, 2 to 4 inches of rainfall with
locally higher amounts possible during this time with Elsa.
Scattered areas of poor drainage/urban flash flooding is likely,
with flooding of areas adjacent to fast reacting small rivers
and streams possible.
Possible showers and thunderstorms later this evening may also
bring at least minor urban flooding with any stronger storms.
No hydrologic concerns from Saturday through Friday.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
There remains a high risk of rip currents at the ocean beaches
through Saturday. Surf height of around 6-7 ft is expected today
long period SE swells. There is a high risk of rip currents
again for all ocean beaches Saturday.
&&
.OKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT today for CTZ005>012.
Tropical Storm Warning for CTZ008-010>012.
NY...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT today for NYZ067>075-078>081-
176>179.
Tropical Storm Warning for NYZ078>081-179.
NJ...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT today for NJZ002-004-006-
103>108.
MARINE...Tropical Storm Warning for ANZ331-332-340-345-350-353-355.
Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT this afternoon for ANZ335-
338.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DBR/MW
NEAR TERM...DBR
SHORT TERM...DBR
LONG TERM...DS/MW
AVIATION...FEB/MW
MARINE...DBR/DS
HYDROLOGY...DBR/DS
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...DSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service New York NY 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 NYZ075-178-100145- Kings (Brooklyn)-Southern Queens- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. NYZ080-081-179-100145- Southwest Suffolk-Southeast Suffolk-Southern Nassau- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. CTZ005>007-009-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>074-176-177-100145- Northern Fairfield-Northern New Haven-Northern Middlesex- Southern Fairfield-Western Passaic-Eastern Passaic-Hudson- Western Bergen-Eastern Bergen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex- Western Union-Eastern Union-Orange-Putnam-Rockland- Northern Westchester-Southern Westchester-New York (Manhattan)-Bronx- Richmond (Staten Island)-Northern Queens-Northern Nassau- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey and southeast New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. CTZ008-010>012-NYZ078-079-100145- Northern New London-Southern New Haven-Southern Middlesex- Southern New London-Northwest Suffolk-Northeast Suffolk- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Connecticut and southeast New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. ANZ331-332-340-345-350-353-355-100145- Long Island Sound East of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY to the Mouth of the Connecticut River- Long Island Sound East of the Mouth of the Connecticut River- Peconic and Gardiners Bays- South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay- Moriches Inlet NY to Montauk Point NY out 20 nm- Fire Island Inlet NY to Moriches Inlet NY out 20 nm- Sandy Hook NJ to Fire Island Inlet NY out 20 nm- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tropical Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tropical Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. ANZ335-338-100145- Long Island Sound West of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY- New York Harbor- 936 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Tropical Storm Elsa will move through overnight bringing heavy rain and potentially gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Tropical Storm Elsa will move through Friday morning bringing heavy rain and potentially gusty winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation according to Standard Operating Procedures is requested and appreciated. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
645 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0618 AM MARINE TSTM WIND 2 N TOMPKINSVILLE 40.66N 74.06W
07/09/2021 M44 MPH ANZ338 NY MESONET
MESONET STATION ROBN4 ROBBINS REEF, NJ.
&&
DSRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
646 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0617 AM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 S BLUE POINT 40.73N 73.03W
07/09/2021 M46 MPH SUFFOLK NY MESONET
MESONET STATION XBLU BLUE POINT.
&&
DSRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
651 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0638 AM MARINE TSTM WIND EATONS NECK 40.95N 73.40W
07/09/2021 M43 MPH SUFFOLK NY MESONET
MESONET STATION XEAT EATONS NECK.
&&
DSRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
654 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0634 AM MARINE TSTM WIND 4 SE HAMPTON BAYS 40.84N 72.48W
07/09/2021 M41 MPH ANZ350 NY MESONET
MESONET STATION XSHN SHINNECOCK.
&&
DSRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
732 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0624 AM TROPICAL STORM ISLIP AIRPORT 40.79N 73.10W
07/09/2021 SUFFOLK NY ASOS
39 MPH GUST AT KISP.
&&
DSRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
751 AM EDT FRI JUL 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0710 AM MARINE TSTM WIND 19 SSE EAST HAMPTON 40.69N 72.05W
07/09/2021 M45 MPH ANZ350 NY MESONET
MESONET STATION 44017 19 SSE EAST HAMPTON.
&&
DSRThe Brookhaven radar (KOKX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:44 UTC.
15 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Vehicles were stalled in flood waters under the I-95 overpass on Tokeneke Road in Darien.
Numerous roads were closed due to heavy flooding in Darien.
Vehicles were stranded in 2 feet of flood water on Benjamin Street in Old Greenwich.
Fire units were responding to numerous incidents involving vehicles with occupants stranded in flood waters throughout Stamford.
Water Street was closed and impassable at Olive Street in New Haven due to flooding.
West Rock Avenue was closed at Whalley Avenue in New Haven due to flooding.
Multiple roads were closed due to flooding in Bridgeport including the intersections of Bishop Avenue and Connecticut Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Arlington Street, Gregory Street and Columbia Street, East Washington Street and East Main Street, and Seaview Avenue at the I-95 exit ramp.
The fire department rescued three stranded motorists from Amity Plaza at the intersection of Route 63 and the Wilbur Cross Parkway in New Haven.
Kings Highway East (Route 1) was closed in both directions at Chambers Street in Bridgeport due to flooding.
Johnson Drive was closed due to flooding from Black Rock Turnpike to Fiske Street in Fairfield.
Flowing flood waters up the the hood of cars were reported on Cook Avenue in Meriden.
Lee Street, Paddock Road, and Lyceum Road in Portland were closed due to flooding.
A landslide compromised the railroad tracks near Callegari Drive in West Haven and caused Metro-North trains to be diverted.
Multiple yards were completely flooded on Cove Road near Van Buskirk Avenue in Darien. Water was near the top of several vehicles.
The Yantic River at Yantic exceeded its minor flood stage of 9.0 feet at 2:30pm EST. The river crested at a height of 9.10 feet twice, once at 3:00pm EST and again at 3:30pm EST before falling back below flood stage by 4:15pm EST.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Connecticut in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Connecticut, July 2021
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 976464, 976465, 976469, 976470, 976471, 976473, 976488, 976495, 976498, 976512, 976501, 976508, 976509, 976511, 976657.