Severe Storms, Flash Flood Warnings For NYC, Surrounding Areas

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A flash flood warning was in effect on Saturday afternoon for all of New York City and several surrounding counties, as severe thunderstorms whipped through the area.

The flash flood warning was in effect until 5:30 p.m. for all five boroughs, as well as Westchester, Rockland and northern Nassau County, and Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey.

Rainfall rates of up to 1.5 inches are expected, and could cause flooding on highways, streets and underpasses, the NWS warned.

All five New York City boroughs, as Nassau, western Suffolk and southern Westchester County, and southeast Union, Bergen and Essex counties in New Jersey, were also under a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:45 p.m. when the warning was dropped.

NWS Doppler radar described the severe thunderstorms as being capable of producing quarter-sized hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. The storms also are producing continuous cloud-to-ground lightning, prompting the NWS to warn residents to get inside at once.

CBS 2's Elise Finch reported that showers and storms could continue into the evening. By Saturday afternoon the storm had already felled a number of trees in the New York and New Jersey, left a vehicle stuck in flood water in Hackensack, damaged a chimney in Ringwood, and knocked down wires on Rt 1 & 9 in Newark.

On Saturday night, bus service was being provided to Newark Light Rail passengers traveling between Orange Street and Grove Street, after a tree fell on tracks temporarily suspending service.

Rounds of wet weather will continue as late at 9:30 p.m., and some showers could still be seen Sunday morning, Murdock said.

But sunshine is expected later in the day, Murdock reported.

While the highs hit the mid-80s on Friday, the high Saturday will top out at 72, Sunday 69, and Monday just 60 degrees.

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