NEW YORK -- The
National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch across New York until 6 p.m. Saturday.
WeatherPlus Severe Weather Awareness l AlertsThe counties under watch include New York (
Manhattan), Bronx, Queens, Kings (
Brooklyn), Rockland, Orange, Nassau, Richmond (Staten Island), Suffolk and Westchester counties in New York; Bergen, Passaic, Union, Sussex, Ocean, Morris, Monmouth, Essex, Warren and Hudson counties in
New Jersey; and Fairfield, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties in Connecticut.
A flash flood warning is in effect until 5 p.m. for
Suffolk County in New York.
Bad weather caused problems across the tri-state area.
A Bergen County highway was shut down in both directions due to flooding. Route 17 at Union Avenue in Rutherford, N.J., was closed.
The National Weather Service cautions drivers to avoid driving into area where the water covers the roadway. Most flooding deaths occur in automobiles. Drivers should turn around and find another route.
Wires have been reported down on Route 4 at Myrtle Avenue in Englewood, N.J.
About 2,000 customers in Brooklyn lost power, but power has since been restored to more than 1,000.
Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, small hail and winds up to 40 mph are expected with this storm. In addition, very heavy rain with rainfall rates of up to an inch per hour is expected.
Heavy rainfall could cause pooling of water on roadways and minor flooding of poor drainage areas.
Lightning is one of nature's primary killers. Authorities remind those in the vicinity of the approaching storm that if you can hear thunder, you're close enough to be struck by lightning and should move to safe shelter immediately.
Check back with WNBC.com for the latest weather information.
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