RIVERHEAD — A powerful nor’easter battered the East End on Saturday, leaving over 130 Riverhead customers in the dark and forcing town officials to declare a state of emergency as floodwaters encroached upon the Peconic Riverfront.
As of 11:30 a.m., PSEG Long Island reported 136 outages in Riverhead, part of a broader regional impact that saw more than 15,000 customers without power across Long Island and the Rockaways. Utility crews are currently assessing damage, though a townwide restoration timeline has yet to be established.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, Riverhead Supervisor Jerry Halpin declared a state of emergency effective through Sunday. The declaration includes the immediate closure of all town park facilities and a suspension of four-wheel-drive access to North Shore beaches.
“Drains have been cleared and our equipment is prepped,” said Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski, who confirmed that municipal crews are on standby to address the storm’s impact. Local police are similarly positioned to handle emergency calls as wind and rain intensify.
The immediate concern for residents is the significant threat of coastal flooding. A coastal flood warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) projecting water levels to rise one to two feet above ground in vulnerable areas, with isolated spots seeing up to 2.5 feet of inundation. Officials specifically warned that major flooding is anticipated along the Peconic River during high tide cycles, urging motorists to strictly avoid barricaded areas and deep water.
“Do not attempt to cross water of unknown depth,” the NWS warned in a bulletin issued Saturday morning.
The weather is expected to remain volatile. While a brief lull in rainfall was observed Saturday afternoon, forecasters expect steady rain to return Saturday night, lingering into Monday morning. Total rainfall accumulations could reach four inches, compounded by aggressive coastal winds. Gusts between 45 and 55 mph are likely, with some exposed areas in eastern Long Island potentially experiencing gusts as high as 60 mph. A wind advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday.
The severe weather has forced the cancellation or postponement of several high-profile community events. The Riverhead Raceway has pushed its championship events to the weekend of Oct. 3 and 4, while the Wading River-Shoreham Chamber Fall Festival has been rescheduled for Oct. 18.
Residents are urged to prioritize safety and stay off the roads. Power outages can be reported to PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075, via the utility’s mobile app, or by texting “OUT” to 773454. The utility emphasizes that any downed power lines must be reported immediately by phone. For ongoing updates, residents should monitor local forecasts as the region remains under threat from the prolonged storm system through the remainder of the weekend.
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