Streets flooded in East Rockaway

 East Rockaway residents woke up Monday to submerged streets and dangerous driving conditions as coastal flooding impacted the Tri-State Area. 

The National Weather Service alerted Hempstead Town prior to the storm that a coastal flood advisory was in effect for Dec. 23. Even though the advisory said that areas like East Rockaway may receive 1 to 3 feet of flooding, residents were still shocked by the high flood waters. Many took to Facebook to express their frustration.

"Here we go again with the flooding so much for East Rockaway’s restoration program after Sandy," said Kathy McAuliffe Pomarico on Facebook at around 8 a.m.

McAuliffe Pomarico posted an image along with her Facebook post of cars driving through high flood waters in the center of the town. This dangerous situation prompted the East Rockaway Fire Department to issue a Storm Standby.

"The Department is currently on a Storm Standby to ensure adequate response for any emergency during the storm," East Rockaway Fire Department announced on its Facebook account.

With the help of Bayville Fire Company, Village of East Rockaway Office of Emergency Management and Department of Public Works as well as the Nassau County's Office of the Fire Marshal, the town is encouraging residents to avoid standing water and be mindful of electrical issues in flooded vehicles and residences.

Hempstead was under a severe thunderstorm warning until 1:15 p.m.  The line of storms will be accompianied by a strong arctic cold front which will crash temperatures to as much as 15 to 20 degrees, if not more, according to weather experts.