Live updates: State of emergency on LI as storms bring flood risk

Some roads blocked by down trees, flooding

Flooding and downed tree limbs have blocked some roads in Nassau, according to the county police department.

There were flooding conditions on Hempstead Turnpike near Westgate in Elmont and along Fallwood Parkway  and Merritts Road in South Farmingdale, a police spokesman said around 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, a downed tree has closed all lanes for a portion of Route NY 25A near Cove Road in Oyster Bay Cove since Monday morning.

Drivers can check 511ny.org for live road condition updates on some major roads.

Flood advisory for parts of Suffolk

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Brentwood, West Babylon and Central Islip until 3:30 p.m. as heavy rain and storms move through those areas.

Swimming restricted at more than 80 LI beaches

Nassau and Suffolk counties have issued advisories against bathing at more than 80 beaches across Long Island, citing the possibility of elevated bacteria levels due to heavy rainfall.

The beaches under advisory in Nassau include 16 North Shore and four South Shore beaches. In Suffolk, 64 beaches, including those adjacent and within the North Shore bays and the northern shoreline of the Great South Bay, Sag Harbor and Long Island Sound are affected.

Both advisories are precautionary measures due to stormwater runoff.

“Stormwater runoff can impact bathing water quality by elevating bacteria levels, which may cause exceedances of the New York State standard for bathing water quality,” a Nassau County Department of Health news release said.

The Suffolk release said that because the beaches are in enclosed embayments, they experience “limited tidal flushing.” And as a result, “bathing and other water contact should be avoided in affected areas until waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles, at least 24 hours after the rain has ended,” the release said.

Suffolk's advisory is expected to be lifted on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., while Nassau's will be lifted on Tuesday at 10 a.m. unless water samples reveal elevated bacterial levels or there is additional heavy rainfall.

Flash flood warnings with more than an inch already fallen in many places

Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Long Island until 7 a.m. Tuesday, and many towns and villages across Long Island had already received more than 1 inch of rain by 10 a.m. Monday – with 1.83 inches recorded in East Hampton and 1.47 inches recorded in Long Beach, the National Weather Service said.

Suffolk County Police said they had no reports of road flooding. The same could not be said for Nassau, where police said they had multiple reports of flooding and downed trees, as well as almost 10 reported minor car accidents – roughly double the usual amount.

There was a report of flooding near the athletic field, Maclaren Stadium along Loring Drive in Levittown, police said. The area borders the Wantagh State Parkway north of Chase Lane. There also were reports, police said, of downed trees in Oyster Bay and in Massapequa Park and an accident on the Northern State Parkway.

The weather service said the hardest hit areas for rainfall by 10 a.m. Monday were: Long Beach (1.47); North Massapequa (1.11); North Merrick (1.1); East Rockaway (1.08); Levittown (1.07); Bethpage (1.06); Muttontown (1.04); and, Oyster Bay (1.02). In Suffolk, the highest rainfall totals were: East Hampton (1.83); Commack (1.19); Melville (1.1); and, North Babylon (1).

Where outages are concentrated on LI

More than 3,000 Long Island customers remained without power after noon on Monday.

Some of those customers have been without power since thunderstorms and high winds on Saturday night, while others lost power more recently.

For example, an outage in Commack that began around 10:40 a.m. affected over 700 customers before being resolved.

Outages are concentrated in Hampton Bays, Flanders, Southampton Village, Riverhead, Bating Hollow, and Wading River. Each "customer" represents a bill-payer, which can be a household or a business -- so the number of individual people affected is much greater.

A tree branch knocked "a primary wire off of its insulator" to cause the Commack outage, according to a spokesperson for PSEG Long Island. Another recent outage in Hampton Bays is still being investigated.

Hundreds of flight disruptions at NY-area airports

Flights to and from metropolitan area airports are seeing significant delays and cancellations Monday amid a state of emergency weather advisory.

A flash flood warning was issued for Nassau and Queens through Monday afternoon, and all of Long Island is under a flood watch until early Tuesday morning as thunderstorms and heavy rainfall affect the area, according to the National Weather Service.

After the Fourth of July weekend, Monday was expected to be a heavy travel day, according to the Port Authority.As of 11:30 a.m. Monday the flight tracking website FlightAware was reporting 178 delays and 78 cancellations at Kennedy Airport, 158 delays and 61 cancellations at Newark Airport, and 192 delays and 157 cancellations at LaGuardia Airport.

The three airports are seeing the worst delays and cancellations of all metropolitan areas in the United States today, according to FlightAware's Misery Map. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark are all within the top six airports globally with the most delays and cancellations Monday.

Flash flood warning issued for Nassau County

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Nassau County, along with Queens and Brooklyn, that will be in effect until 1:30 p.m.

Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, the service said. Between 1 and 1½ inches of rain have fallen already and additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches are possible, according to the advisory. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly for small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding in Nassau include Levittown, Freeport, Valley Stream, Long Beach, Plainview, Garden City, Massapequa, Lynbrook, Farmingdale, Syosset, Mineola, Woodmere, Westbury and Jones Beach; in Queens: Rockaway Beach and Jamaica; and in Brooklyn: Coney Island, Crown Heights, Flatbush and Kennedy Airport.

The service urged drivers to be aware of surroundings and not to drive on flooded roads.

Power restored to more than 91% of PSEG customers

By 9 a.m., PSEG said in a statement it restored power to more than 34,800 customers, or 91% of customers affected by Saturday’s severe thunderstorms.

Power should be restored to most of the remaining customers by Monday night, PSEG said.

As of 10:40 a.m., the PSEG outage map listed 309 active outages affecting 3,548 Long Island customers – more so in Suffolk County and on the East End.

Expect showers 'pretty much all day now'

Meteorologist Jim Connolly said Long Islanders can expect showers “pretty much all day now” on Monday, with the heaviest rain and potential thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

“That would be the primary time to look for ... any kind of flooding,” Connolly said. “It's just difficult to determine exactly how much you're going to get, but the potential is there.”

A flood watch remains in effect in the area until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service forecasts up to 2 inches of rainfall for the Island, possibly higher in some areas.

Connolly said Monday morning that no flooding is imminent or occurring at the moment as the service remains in a “watch stage,” but it will continue to monitor and issue warnings should that change.

Drivers should avoid traveling through any flooded roads.

“The biggest takeaway is to be aware that flooding could occur ... people tend to get stuck,” Connolly said.

Towns, villages cancel outdoor activities, summer camps

The inclement weather put a damper on outdoor summer activities on Monday, including summer camps across Long Island.

Nassau County Summer Recreational Program confirmed activities are cancelled for Monday .

In the Town of Hempstead, all parks department classes, including youth and adult outdoor classes, the town lacrosse academy and swimming classes, were canceled on Monday, the town website said.

In Suffolk County, the Town of Babylon announced on social media Sunday that its day camp, morning swim lessons, and morning tennis lessons were canceled on Monday.

The Village of Babylon announced on social media that its tennis camp, originally set to start Monday, would begin its first day on Tuesday.

Patchogue Village announced all outdoor activities were canceled, including operation of the municipal village pool on Monday.

A variety of water and sports camps in the Town of Smithtown were also canceled on Monday, according to a social media post.

Hochul on flash flood warnings: 'We are ready'

Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaking as a guest on LI News Radio with Jay Oliver (103.9 FM), said the power outages on Long Island are "mostly restored" and now her focus is on the flash flooding warnings for Monday into Tuesday.

“I’m heading out to Long Island shortly and will be out there monitoring the situation," she said, citing the 40-70% chance of flash flooding. "You need to be careful. Everyone needs to know do not go into running water on a street, because you never know even a couple of ... inches can make your car turn into a boat and have it out of control."

Hochul said she's been working with local law enforcement and assets have already been deployed, including swift water rescue teams.

"I'd rather be there preventatively and not need them than wish they were there to help rescue a family out of vehicle," she said. “We are ready, but always a difficult time when Mother Nature is so unpredictable.”

Jones Beach air show canceled Monday

Due to inclement weather, Monday’s FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach is canceled, the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation and FourLeaf Federal Credit Union announced.

"The current weather and forecast restricts the planes from operating safely due to rain and poor visibility," a spokesperson told Newsday in an email on Monday morning.

The show was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and last through 3 p.m.

Monday would have been the last day of the air show, following Friday's practice session and Sunday's performance.

"While we’re disappointed that we won’t be able to be at Jones Beach today, we are incredibly grateful for the unforgettable weekend we shared celebrating America’s 250th," a statement on the FourLeaf Air Show website said. "Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of spectators who joined us, and to the talented aviators from the United States and around the world who made this year’s Air Show so special."

More than 3,200 PSEG customers without power on LI

Just before 6 a.m. Monday, PSEG Long Island’s Outage Map showed 293 active outages affecting 3,246 customers.

Tree crews reported more than 330 downed trees and 200 fallen limbs as part of the "extensive" damage across Long Island since Saturday’s storms, PSEG said.

While outages are scattered across Long Island, eastern Suffolk County was the hardest hit.

Suffolk County police said Monday morning they received few calls of downed trees Sunday night, or far fewer than what was reported on Saturday night, when the county experienced wind gusts of up to 84 mph.

As of 6 a.m. Nassau County police said they had no reports of overnight storm damage.

In a statement on Sunday night, PSEG said that crews have restored more than 79% of customers affected by Saturday’s severe thunderstorms, for more than 26,500 customers by 8 p.m. Sunday.

"Approximately 350 lineworkers and more than 180 vegetation management workers will continue to work in 16-hour shifts safely and as quickly as possible until all outages are restored," the statement said.

Crews will continue to work through Monday night, when the next round of storms is expected.

Long Island storm arrives with a serving of steady rain

Light but steady rain began falling late Sunday across parts of Long Island as a powerful storm that could dump up to 4 inches started its crawl through the region.

The rain started in western Long Island by 10:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Police in Nassau and Suffolk counties said they had not received any weather-related calls Sunday night.

At 10:41 p.m.,  PSEG Long Island was reporting 6,573 customers without power from the storm that hit late Saturday into early Sunday.

Gov. Hochul's office lists how to stay safe amid flooding

With the National Weather Service forecasting up to four inches of rain through Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office has released a list of what to do before, during and after significant rain or flooding to stay safe.

• If you are advised by emergency officials to take immediate action such as evacuation, do not wait — follow all orders promptly.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters: One foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. If you have doubts, remember: "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"
• Know your evacuation route and how to get to higher ground.
• Know your area's type of flood risk — visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
• Have a flood emergency plan in place that includes considerations for your children, pets and neighbors.
• Have an emergency go bag ready to grab for you, your family and your pets that includes any medications you may need.
• Check in with elderly neighbors or those who may have mobility issues.
• Do not touch downed power lines.
• Keep your phone charged.
• Keep a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.

After floodwaters have receded:

• Wait until an area has been declared safe before entering. Be careful driving, since roads may be damaged and power lines may be down.
• If your home or apartment has been flooded, DO NOT turn on electrical appliances until an electrician has checked the system and appliances.
• Throw out any medicine or food that may have had contact with floodwaters.
• Keep your automobile fueled. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days.
• Do not touch downed power lines.

Fewer Long Islanders without power, PSEG Long Island says

The number of Long Islanders still without power after a thunderstorm Saturday night into Sunday continues to drop.

As of 9:12 p.m. on Sunday, PSEG Long Island said that 7,103 customers still didn't have power, down from 8,200 about 4 p.m.

The utility company said that nearly 80% of its customers have power, and crews are continuing to work to reduce the number of those in the dark.

Power has been restored for more than 26,500 customers affected in the past 24 hours, according to the utility.

State of emergency in both counties

Nassau and Suffolk counties have declared states of emergency with severe storms expected to return to Long Island.

Nassau County's state of emergency began at 6 p.m. and will run through 6 a.m., on Tuesday, said County Executive Bruce Blakeman, "due to the likelihood of extreme precipitation and potential flooding and downed trees."

Suffolk bore the brunt of the damage from the fast-moving storms on Saturday night. Its state of emergency is effective as of 8 p.m. on Saturday night and it will be in effect for 30 days, according to County Executive Edward P. Romaine.

The declaration "authorizes county departments and agencies to take all necessary actions to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure, and to provide emergency assistance to residents as response and recovery efforts continue," Romaine said in a statement.

Blakeman urged Nassau residents to be cognizant of water collecting on roadways and to "avoid traveling through areas with high water."

There's a flood watch for Long Island effective through early Tuesday morning.

Southampton Town street closures

Southampton Town officials have announced several street closures due to damage from Saturday night's storms.

These are the impacted roads, according to a news release:

• Noyack Road, from Millstone Road to Deerfield Road, in Southampton village.
• The stretch of Springville Road that's south of Neptune Avenue in Hampton Bays.
• Newtown Road in Hampton Bays.
• Argonne Road East around Lynn Avenue and Oak Drive in Hampton Bays.

Outages on LI remain in the thousands

There are more than 8,200 customers without power on Long Island following Saturday's storms, according to PSEG Long Island.

Here's the outage map.

Shinnecock power outages linger

Around 85 PSEG Long Island customers on the Shinnecock Indian Nation remained in a blackout on Sunday afternoon after losing electricity Saturday night, according to the power company's website.

Estimated restoration times ranged from midnight Sunday to Monday at 8 p.m. — which could mean two days without power for some people.

Lauryn Randall, transportation coordinator for the nation, said some community members who don't have town water were filling up buckets at neighbors' houses since the power outage left them unable to pump from their own wells.

Branches remained tangled in power lines on Church Street on the reservation Sunday afternoon, Randall said. The nation has a four-member grounds and maintenance crew, which can help residents clear debris from their homes and roads, but PSEG is responsible for removing trees in the power lines, which can be dangerous, she said.

Randall was thankful her father, who is 90, had not lost power because he needs air conditioning in the heat.

"We need power for everything — water, AC, to cook, and the stove is electric," she said.

LIRR service impacted on part of Montauk branch

The Montauk branch is partially suspended between Speonk and Montauk due to power lines on the tracks east of Hampton Bays, the LIRR said.

Follow the latest at mta.info.

Blue Angels take to the skies

Across miles of boardwalk, hundreds of necks craned and jaws dropped as the renowned Blue Angels took to the skies over Jones Beach just after 2 p.m.

Speeding at more than 300 miles per hour, the U.S. Navy’s demonstration squad performed delicate formations and spun 360 degrees in the air.

Checking in on the air show

Sunday’s FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach has proceeded seamlessly with few blips.

About halfway through the event, a civilian drone began flying overhead, which is strictly prohibited.

"Looks like someone’s going to prison," the Air Show announcer said in jest.

Then at around 1 p.m., a pilot with the Canadian Snowbirds collided with a bird, organizers said. No one was injured, but the pilot flew the plane back to Republic Airport as a precaution. 

Meanwhile, in other air show developments, just before 1:30 p.m., a massive Union Jack flew overhead. Like most things made in America, this flag was not cheap.

The announcer for the British Army’s official parachute display team, the Red Devils, said it cost a mere $27,000.

U.S. Army Golden Knights kick off FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach

As tens of thousands watched from the Jones Beach boardwalk on Sunday, the U.S. Army Golden Knights kicked off the 2026 FourLeaf Air Show with a giant American flag.

Latest on LI power outages

More than 11,600 customers across Long Island were without power as of just before noon, according to PSEG Long Island's outage map, with the vast majority in Suffolk County.

That's after severe storms rolled through the area on Saturday night, packing wind gusts of up to 87 mph.

Read the full story here.

More than 150,000 expected for air show's first day

More than 100,000 people were at the beach for the air show by 11 a.m., according to George Gorman, regional director of the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation department. He expected more than 150,000 people to come by Sunday afternoon.

"This is the first time we’ve had anyone from Europe or the Middle East," Gorman said as the United Arab Emirates demo team flew overhead. "The 250th anniversary of the United States of America. That's what prompted it."

Oliver Christian, the British consul general in New York, looked up at the U.A.E. team.

"This is cool, isn't it?" he said. "250 years ago something amazing happened: The birth of America."

Why was the Royal Air Force on Jones Beach Sunday? "Just showing the commitment, the relationship between the UK and the U.S.," Christian said. "How deep it is on the military side, but also from our people and our values that hold us together as the longest-standing, deepest allies."

Meanwhile, Frank Gatto, 59, was strutting down the boardwalk wearing an Uncle Sam hat three times the size of his head.

“It's a privilege being here,” Gatto, of Farmingdale, said. “Our freedom, celebrating America’s birthday. I think it’s great.”

FourLeaf Air Show takes to the skies above Jones Beach

Thousands of people donning red, white and blue poured onto the Jones Beach boardwalk Sunday morning to see the annual FourLeaf Air Show.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights kicked off the day, soaring into the high skies with a giant American flag above cheering crowds. Air Force units from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Canada will also be performing on Sunday.

Squadron Leader Stuart Roberts of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows said he's wanted to fly since he was a kid.

"It's amazing," Roberts, 39, told Newsday. "When you go and execute that mission, you don’t have a huge amount of time to look out the window because you don't want to mess up what you're doing. ... We spend six months working up the show each year. You do the reps and the reps and the reps, and by the time you start flying the show it doesn't even matter who you're doing it in front of because you're just locked in doing what you need to do to make the show as good as it can be."

Thousands still without power after Saturday storms

Severe thunderstorms rolled through Suffolk County on Saturday night, leaving thousands still without power on Sunday.

About 13,000 customers across Long Island were without power as of Sunday morning, according to PSEG Long Island's outage map, with the vast majority in Suffolk County.

The storm produced wind gusts of more 70 mph, as well as hail and heavy rain, PSEG Long Island said. It said some of the worst-hit areas included Southampton, Hampton Bays, Riverhead and Port Jefferson Stations. Crews are working in 16-hour shifts to restore power, PSEG said.

Read the full story here.

Long Islanders brave the heat, then storms, to celebrate America's 250th birthday

The culmination of a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary arrived Saturday with a sweltering heat wave as Long Islanders packed beaches, parades and backyard barbecues to commemorate the nation’s founding.

From New York City, where thousands gathered to watch tall ships sail up the Hudson River, to Southampton Village, where an annual parade is steeped in a century of tradition, Fourth of July revelers wore red, white and blue to display their patriotism.

The celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, continues Sunday and Monday with the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline the aerial display. Typically held on Memorial Day weekend, the airshow was pushed back this year to coincide with the 250th celebration.

Read the full story here.

Rockets' red glare lights up Jones Beach

Thousands of people gathered at Jones Beach Saturday night to enjoy fireworks and celebrate the Fourth of July with company.

The show, which started promptly at 9:30 p.m. and lasted 25 minutes, featured an array of fireworks set to music from famous artists such as Taylor Swift. Some spectators arrived early — nearly two hours before the display's scheduled start — and waited anxiously for the show to begin. The possibility of did not appear to discourage the many who showed up on what was otherwise a still sweltering evening. 

When the display started, many onlookers embraced their significant others and used their phones to record the display. As the fireworks launched into the air, one parent pointed at the sky, telling their child to “look at that one!”

Meanwhile, in the Field Four parking lot, people sat on top of their cars to get a good view and picture of the fireworks before getting in their cars to beat the inevitable traffic.

Fire breaks out on Brooklyn Bridge during Macy's fireworks show

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy's July Fourth fireworks show, spreading flames and setting off a plume of smoke before firefighters extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Two fire engines were used to put out the blaze, the city's fire department said. Firefighters were seen dousing the flames shortly before 10 p.m. on the bridge, which had been closed to traffic during the show.

A department spokesperson said such fires are not unexpected and are why officials keep crowds at a distance during fireworks.

The show was moved up early because of the threat of severe weather that canceled and delayed other celebrations along the East Coast. That includes Washington, where storm prompted an evacuation of crowdgoers on the National Mall.

Check for updates here.

Severe thunderstorms roll through central, eastern Suffolk County

Severe thunderstorms rolled through central Suffolk County on Saturday night after forecasters warned of destructive winds.

Officials had warned the storms could produce wind gusts up to 80 mph, posing a threat to anyone caught outdoors. Forecasters warned of flying debris said mobile homes could be heavily damaged. Considerable damage to roofs, windows and vehicles was possible, along with widespread tree damage and power outages.

PSEG Long Island’s outage map shows that the utility company is investigating power outages affecting more than 17,000 customers throughout the Island.

The utility said "extreme heat ... followed by a round of severe thunderstorms" caused the outages. 

"Additional personnel are on hand to support restoration efforts, and crews are working throughout the night until every affected customer has service back," PSEG said in a statement. 

Macy's NYC fireworks will start early; Riverhead's are moved up too

The Macy's 4th of July fireworks will begin at 9:02 p.m. instead of closer to 9:30 because of incoming weather, the New York City Department of Emergency Management said in an alert.

Riverhead Town has moved its fireworks show at South Jamesport Beach up to 9 p.m., from 9:30 p.m., for the same reason.

Radar shows a line of thunderstorms heading towards the area, which is under a severe thunderstorm watch, later in the evening.

'It's a beautiful thing': Crowds gathering on Jones Beach for fireworks show

As the sun begins to set over Long Island, crowds of people have begun to gather on Jones Beach and the boardwalk ahead of the fireworks show scheduled to begin about 9:30.

Chris Dimatteo, 37, of Queens Village, brought his children to the beach for the fireworks display to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities. He opted to bring his family to the beach later in the day when the weather got cooler.

“It’s exciting to see, and you don’t get to see it in person like this, the way it’s gonna be tonight,” Dimatteo said.

Dimatteo said that the Fourth of July is a significant holiday to him as both he and his wife, Joanlee, come from a family of immigrants. Dimatteo’s family immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico and Italy. His wife’s family immigrated from Colombia.

“We all came over here one time or another, and we’ve all come together as one big unit to create the United States,” Dimatteo said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

'Amazing' parade of tall ships up the Hudson

Crowds packed the Hudson River waterfront on Saturday as the Sail4th 250 International Parade of Sail marked the nation’s semiquincentennial with a procession of tall ships, military vessels and aerial flyovers.

Tall ships from more than 20 nations, including Italy's Amerigo Vespucci, Argentina's Ara Libertad and Peru’s Bap Union, graced the Hudson River. Some boats in the parade will be on display and open for tours in piers along New York Harbor from Sunday through Tuesday.

By 9 a.m., the scene was already set at The Battery, where scores of people streamed in to claim vantage points under muggy, fast-rising temperatures.

Read the full story here.

Boardwalk, and business, bustling at Jones Beach

The boardwalk at Jones Beach is bustling with activity as beachgoers eagerly walk up to tents, enjoy live music, shop and collect sponsor freebies.

For Legame Permanent Jewelry owner Jacqueline Kagiwada, 32, of Amityville, this year was the first her business has set up shop at Jones Beach for the Fourth of July. Kagiwada said that the opportunity has allowed her to network with more customers as Long Island celebrates.

“It’s amazing … it’s getting packed full of people,” Kagiwada said. “We have the fireworks tonight, music’s going. It’s a great family environment.”

Kagiwada, whose jewelry business is nearly two years old, said that she doesn’t mind working on America’s 250th birthday.

“I get to have my family, great staff with me, great crew, and it’s just great to be able to live in the United States,” Kagiwada said. “And, as a woman, I get to start a business and do what I love.”

Heavy rain possible Sunday and Monday, but it will be a bit cooler too

Showers and thunderstorms are likely for Long Island before 2 a.m. tonight, according to the National Weather Service's most recent forecast. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for New York, Kings and Queens counties through 11 p.m., but there is only slight risk of severe thunderstorms outside the watch area and most if not all of the Island should be spared, according to the forecast.

But heavy rain on Sunday afternoon through Monday could result in limited flash flooding in certain areas on Long Island, the weather service said. Parts of Nassau and western Suffolk could see more than 3 inches of rainfall, according to weather service reports. Areas in eastern Suffolk are forecasted to see less, with Westhampton predicted to see less than 2 inches and Montauk 1.5 inches.

But it won't be as hot as it's been been the last few days. Sunday's heat index — what temperatures feel like — on much of Long Island will be in the upper 80s, about 10 degrees less than on Saturday. 

Sparse parking ahead of Jones Beach fireworks

Parking at Jones Beach Field Four appeared sparse Saturday afternoon ahead of the fireworks show.

Despite the packed parking lot, there is still a steady flow of cars entering, searching for any available spaces. Beachgoers can be seen headed to the shores from the parking lot donning sunglasses and holding essentials like folding chairs. As of 3:35 p.m., there was little traffic on the Meadowbrook State Parkway headed to the beach.

Garden State Fireworks’ 25-minute long fireworks display is set to begin at 9:30 p.m., and can best be viewed from the central mall, which fields four and five feed into, Newsday previously reported.

High temps for the Fourth fall just shy of record for LI

Today’s sweltering heat on Long Island fell just short of the record books for the hottest Independence Day, National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wunsch said. Islip climbed to a sweltering 96 degrees, Wunsch said — just one degree shy of the 97 degree record high recorded there in 1966 and 2010.

Independence Day celebrations and fireworks displays tonight could be disrupted by thunderstorms on Long Island, as the region remains gripped by sweltering heat. An extreme heat warning remained in effect for most of the region until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Wunsch said storms developing over Pennsylvania were expected to track east and then southeast toward the New York City area and Long Island.

“I know a lot of people are out today, but it does look like there’s a pretty good chance that we’re going to see strong to severe thunderstorms at some point this evening,” Wunsch said.

Brooklyn Bridge, FDR Drive closures

Due to the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, the Brooklyn Bridge and the FDR Drive between Battery Park Underpass and 34th Street are closed in both directions today, according to an alert from the city Office of Emergency Management. The NYPD may close other roads in lower Manhattan and northwest Brooklyn as the need arises, the alert said.

Check here for more information on specific closures.

Last of the tall ships sail away

As the parade of ships came to a close along the Hudson River, Cristian Bustillo said the waterfront event was an awesome experience.

“This was amazing, even seeing all the kind of aircraft I saw," said Bustillo, who was visiting from Honduras for the first time.

Bustillo said the blazing temperatures were not a problem, reminding him of weather back home. He also said the only thing he thought could have been improved on was more demonstrations by the Blue Angels.

Peru’s tall ship, Bap Union, passes Riverbank State Park during the International Parade of Sail. Credit: Newsday/Reginald Lewis

Some state parks filled to capacity, but beach attendance lower than expected

As of 1 p.m., several state parks are filled to capacity, according to regional state parks director George Gorman.

Orient Beach State Park and Wildwood State Park on the East End are filled to capacity.

Hempstead Lake is filled abut 80% to capacity, while Sunken Meadow State Park is at 90% capacity.

A steady stream of beachgoers are flowing into both Jones Beach and Robert Moses, though no backups or delays were reported, he said. At Jones Beach, Field 6 is filled to capacity but Gorman said there was "plenty of parking" in the rest of the park.

He said systemwide, beach attendance was slightly lower than parks officials anticipated.

"The beaches are a little bit lighter because of the heat wave," he said. Other July 4 events may also be having an impact on the number of beachgoers, he said.

The high at Islip is 93 degrees, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Greenblatt. That’s four degrees short of the record set in 2010 at 97 degrees, though the hottest part of the day is still to come.

"It’s certainly possible that you get pretty close to the record this afternoon, but that would probably not occur for another few more hours," Greenblatt said on Saturday.

Forecasters are still keeping an eye on spotty storm chances that could threaten July 4 fireworks displays.

"There’s nothing on the radar at the moment, but expecting thunderstorms to fill into the area this evening, mainly after 6 p.m.," Greenblatt said.

Who won the Nathan's hot dog eating contest?

Joey Chestnut won the Nathan's hot dog eating contest for the 18th time.

Miki Sudo snagged her 12th win in the women's contest earlier in the day.

Chestnut and Sudo were the 2025 champions as well, according to the Nathan's website.

If you're more of a barbecue buff than a dog dawg, here are some LI spots with great takeout.

Sails billow, soldiers salute at tall ships parade in NYC

Traffic is starting to build, but no major issues yet

Traffic is building in several hotspots as holiday celebrations get underway.

A crash on the eastbound Northern State Parkway in North Hempstead is slowing traffic as the left shoulder is blocked, according to the state Department of Transportation’s 511ny website.

The state department of transportation website shows no traffic heading to Jones Beach. A Waze map showed heavy traffic along Robert Moses State Parkway on Fire Island around 11:45 a.m.

There are also slowdowns in the Hamptons, from Southampton to Montauk, according to Waze reports.

Motorists will see closures due to the Port Jefferson Fourth of July parade on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Main Street will be closed from North Country Road to Broadway. Broadway will be closed from Main Street to California Avenue. Barnum Avenue will be closed from Broadway to Main Street.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

People are starting to get tired of the heat

Spectators at multiple events headed for the shade and air conditioning as noon approached.

Moments after the Massapequa parade ended, the route was quickly deserted. The parade was roughly 90 minutes long.

Spectators along the tall ships routes also retreated inside for rest and AC.

As of 11:45 a.m., temperatures in Islip were 92 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Gotcha! Kids help military vehicle drivers cool off in Massapequa

A group of kids did their part to keep everyone cool along the Massapequa parade route, using a hose to spray down marchers.

Even the driver of a military vehicle welcomed the wash down as the temperature rose above 90 degrees.

Massapequa varsity baseball coach Tom Sheedy said every moment with his state championship team is "wonderful." He said as soon as the team was offered a spot in the parade, the players jumped at the opportunity.

"This is their hometown," he said. "As you walk down, you'll see the sidewalks were lined [with spectators]. Obviously, this kicks off a day of festivities for them."

As a Suffolk County resident, Sheedy said it was his first experience at the Independence Day parade in the community where he coaches.

“It's very cool, hometown-ish. And that's a nice way to be. That's a big part of what America is all about."

The baseball team won its third state title in program history in June, capturing the Class AAA championship.

Ahoy there! Tall ships sail through the city

The parade is in full swing with the crowd watching patriotic behemoths slowly sail up the Hudson.

Relief from the high heat came as the wind carries mist from the ships spraying water.

No place like home was the sentiment Dahjmer Ashley shared as he watched ships float by. Ashley, a Queens native, said this Fourth of July is special as it's his first one back in New York City after he moved to Georgia when he was 8.

Now 22, Ashley said he'll brave the heat for the event and everything it brings.

"Seeing the boats on the water, the view, the buildings and everything, you get to see a whole bunch of different stuff," Ashley said.

Southampton parade starts with a bang of musket fire

The Southampton Fourth of July parade kicked off with shots fired from muskets by Revolutionary War reenactors. Women and girls in Colonial clothing followed closely behind carrying a patchwork-sewn American flag.

A tradition since 1920, today not only marks 106 years of Southampton civic pride, but America’s 250th birthday, which makes the parade extra special for residents.

Cutter Koster grew up in Southampton, and is now raising a family of his own here. Koster’s family owns a fish market right off the parade route.

"Seeing the amount of patriotism that's happening in this country recognizing the 250th anniversary, it really makes the crowds more excited," said Koster, 39. "It makes them bigger, and it makes everybody more fired up to participate."

Koster came to the parade with friends and his family, including his two young boys, whose favorite part of the parade is the fire trucks.

People of all ages are lined up with their lawn chairs on the sidewalks and neighboring grassy areas along the parade route. Jan Kumar has lived in Southampton for the past 28 years, and came 30 minutes before the start of the parade to find a spot on the grass for her chair.

"There are a bunch of school bands, which I love to see the kids," said Kumar, 76. "There are a lot of marching bands that are just so uplifting."

Regarding America's Semiquincentennial, Kumar has mixed feelings.

"I'm happy to celebrate the goodness in our country, but I'm very distressed about the administration and the direction it's been taking of us culturally and politically," Kumar said. "So I have mixed feelings this year."

The Southampton Fourth of July parade is rooted in more than 100 years of history, patriotism and community engagement. The cheering and chanting crowd showed no shortage of patriotism. Some in uniform honored those who have served and are now serving, while a band of bagpipes played "America the Beautiful."

Remembering the Bicentennial while witnessing the Semiquincentennial

David Italiaander, a Merrick native who now lives in New Jersey, said he attended the country's 200th Independence Day celebration when he was 26. He watched the parade from a friend’s apartment on the 26th floor of a building right near the water.

"They were on the 26th floor. We had a little party and had an incredible view of everything," he said. "We were living in the city, so it was just another party — a pretty good party.

He told Newsday he had to make the trek to Manhattan to see the show again this time around.

"The last time it was almost this big ... and it was a fantastic show," he said. "This one should be better. So, even though it's like 100 [degrees] or whatever it is, I had to come out and see it."

Italiaander had originally planned to watch the 250th anniversary parade from bleachers on Governors Island. He and his wife had tickets, but that event was called off because of storm damage.

He opted to watch from The Battery instead, but his wife did not join him because she was worried about the heat.

"She thinks I should be too, and I probably should, but ... I want to see the flyover," Italiaander said as he wiped sweat off his head. "By 10, 10:30, I think I should be indoors again — hopefully without heat exhaustion."

Massapequa preps for annual parade — with Mayor 'Washington'

Preparations are underway for the start of the Village of Massapequa annual Independence Day parade. Several vehicles from the Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage are lined up at the start.

The parade begins on Lakeshore Drive at Walker Street and runs south to Front Street.

Crowds are starting to form along the route on a sweltering morning before the festivities kick off at 10 a.m.

World War II veteran and lifetime member of the Massapequa Fire Department Charles Ruppert, Jr. was serve as honorary grand marshal.

George Washington, or Village Mayor Daniel Pearl, was ready for the start of the parade. He and several other officials are wearing costumes as part of the 250th celebration.

The mayor said the Fourth of July parade was the largest the village hosts and this year a larger contingent of participants was expected, including all the recent varsity state championship teams from Massapequa.

"There is no more patriotic community than the Massapequas," he said.

It's already 87 degrees right now

Another scorcher is in store for Independence Day with a high near 97 forecast for Long Island.

It was 80 degrees in Islip at 7:40 a.m. and nearing 90 just before 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

But as Long Islanders head to beaches, parades, barbecues and other celebrations, forecasters said the heat index would make it feel like 105.

An extreme heat warning is in effect for most of Long Island. Parts of the South Shore, including Westhampton and Montauk, are under a heat advisory, according to the weather service.

Saturday is expected to be the "last day of extreme heat," the weather service said.

Get the full forecast here.

Awaiting the tall ships in The Battery

Scores of people filtered through The Battery trying to get an early look at the Tall Ships before the parade kicked-off.

It was roughly 85 degrees, sunny and muggy at The Battery shortly before 9 a.m. Dozens of police officers were posted throughout the area and an NYPD helicopter made multiple passes overhead.

Albuquerque native Oscar Montes grabbed a spot to watch the parade roughly an hour ahead of time.

Montes and his wife, Natalia, were there to celebrate Independence Day and his birthday, they said.

"Today it's all about America — and me," said Montes, who turned 52 on Saturday. "We're here for the military parade and the tall ships. I don't think I've ever seen a tall ship other than on TV. Now we get to see the actual tall ships."

As of about 8:45 a.m., the couple said the only ships they had seen were a pair of docked tourists ferries that were blocking large portions of the shoreline at The Battery.

Natalia told Newsday, "We're a little bummed that the [ferries] are in front of us."

Meanwhile, at Pier 40, a crowd of people set up shop and patiently waited for the fleet of boats to start arriving.

Boats could be seen in the distance, inching their way over as people started to hurry over to the water front.

A military helicopter flying a large American flag passed overhead, flanked by two other military helicopters and one from the NYPD.

The flyover was greeted with brief applause and cheers from those on the ground.

Jeff Cai, an NYU student, waited for the event to kickstart in Pier 40 as this Fourth of July marks his sixth year in America.

Traveling from China for higher education, Cai said he heard about the event online and wanted to check out the holiday festivities.

"Especially here in New York, I've seen so many things," Cai said. "Especially those special events ... famous places and different cultures."

11 things to know today

Stuff to know today:

• Gotta run to the store? Here's what's open and closed.
• Need a beach lunch other than your usual BECSPK? Here are a 3 beach takeout spots to try.
• From fireworks to fairs, here are the big events happening this weekend.
• For Jones Beach-specific happenings, check out this guide.
• The Trump Accounts program debuts today. Here's how you set it up.

Other fun and interesting reads:

• The eve of the 250th was celebrated by land, air and sea — literally. Here's what happened.
• NewsdayTV looked back at LI's pivotal role in the American Revolution. Watch it here.
• Have you ever actually read the Declaration of Independence? Newsday's Editorial Board posted it here.
• We asked 56 LIers to reflect on our region, our country, opportunities and challenges. Here's what they said.
• From Grumman and Gatsby to Sagamore and Sandy, here are 25 times Long Island changed America
• The Bicentennial marked the year of "Dancing Queen" and "The Jeffersons." Here are other big pop culture moments from '76.

Fireworks create air pollution spikes

The air quality is expected to improve Saturday, but the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has advised Long Islanders that fireworks “can result in localized, temporary spikes in air pollution,” especially during the ongoing heat wave.

Due to high ozone levels on Friday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deemed the air unsafe for seniors, children, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions. Saturday’s levels will be considered acceptable, but still pose a moderate risk to sensitive groups.\

DEC commissioner Amanda Lefton recommended that anyone celebrating outdoors monitor the state’s air quality advisories for Saturday and Sunday. That information can be found through AirNow.gov or the State’s Air Quality Hotline at (800) 535-1345.

Nation turns 250 as Long Island kicks off Fourth festivities

On the eve of the nation's 250th anniversary, communities across Long Island and New York City Friday kicked off a weekend of celebrations.

From a hometown parade in Bethpage, to a maritime procession along the East River and an airshow rehearsal over Jones Beach, semiquincentennial festivities unfolded under sweltering summer heat. On the East End, Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Garfield M. Langhorn, who died in Vietnam in January 1969, was reinterred at Calverton National Cemetery during a poignant ceremony.

Bigger events are set for Saturday, including a massive tall ship parade along the Hudson River, fireworks shows and parades and fairs across Long Island. The FourLeaf Airshow at Jones Beach is set for Sunday and Monday.

Read the rest of this story here 

Fourth may bring record heat, NWS says

Long Islanders manning backyard grills Saturday afternoon might feel as roasted as their hamburgers and hot dogs, as the high temperature could tie with — or even surpass — Long Island’s hottest Independence Day on record, forecasters told Newsday late Friday.

The high is forecast to soar to 97 in Islip on Saturday, but just like every other day since the weather service issued an extreme heat warning on Wednesday, it will feel much worse — around 105 — due to the humidity, National Weather service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey told Newsday.

The hottest Independence Days on record — when temps hit 97 degrees in Islip — were measured in 1966 and 2010. The weather service’s climatological records for Islip date back to 1963.

“Right now we’re forecasting that record to tie, so there is a chance that that record could break,” Ramsey said. “We’re forecasting 97 or 98 degrees.”

Tall ships strut their stuff along the East River

On Friday, Class B tall ships from around the world sailed down the East River from Hell Gate Bridge to Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn.

The parade sets the stage for Saturday, when more than 30 tall ships from around the world will sail up the Hudson River from the Verrazzano Bridge to the George Washington Bridge.

Here are a few of the ships that strutted their stuff Friday, to the delight of passengers and shoreside visitors.

Riverhead soldier killed in Vietnam reinterred at Calverton

In a poignant ceremony, a crowd of more than 200 came to honor Pfc. Garfield M. Langhorn, a Riverhead native who was killed in action in 1969 in Vietnam.

Friday, Langhorn was reinterred at Calverton National Ceremony. He had been buried at Riverhead National Cemetery since his death.

Langhorn was a radio operator on a mission to recover the bodies of two pilots whose helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. He threw himself on top of a grenade to absorb the blast and protect the other soldiers around him.

Read the story here

Waving from the shoreline at tall ships

Waving passengers standing aboard a schooner floated by.

And Markel Valmana, age 25 and a civil engineer who lives on Lower East Side, waved back.

Valmana, in a tank top, had biked downtown Saturday afternoon and saw the preliminary sailboat show passing between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Growing up, Valmana sailed with his dad and later in college, "and now I'm wishing I had a boat, and eventually, I'll buy a boat."

But for now, there are the festivities Friday in the East River and Saturday in the Hudson marking America’s 250’s birthday — with sailboat parades.

Boat after boat passed, including a two-masted gaff schooner with reddish tanbark sails.

"I saw some of the boats that were coming, online. Some of them were super cool," he said.

Nearby, a traditional wooden cargo sailing vessel, with a narrow, long wooden hull and tall wooden masts, was docked near the South Street Seaport.

"It's rare that you get to see this one right here," pointing to a boat docked nearby with a Netherlands flag — the country that founded the company town that would become New York. (

Watching tall ships on Hudson

The Hudson River will host the main parade of ships on Saturday, but 32-year-old Caesar Garcia of the Upper East Side and his fiancée will be traveling, and so they went instead to see the preliminary event, held Friday afternoon on the East River.

Garcia, a software engineer, was near the tip of Manhattan and had seen four of five ships pass, He was hoping to see some of the ships he'd seen online in previews of the show.

"The ships are old and from different countries, so we're interested and want to see how they look in person," he said, standing with other spectators.

About 122,000 people were at Jones Beach

About 122,000 people went to Jones Beach on Friday, parks officials said.

Previous previews on the Friday before Memorial Day have ranged between 75,000 to 100,000 visitors.

Some parking lots were full on Friday, but only around half the capacity for the total park.

The Blue Angels roared overhead about 3 p.m. as they concluded the rehearsal of the FourLeaf Airshow, wowing beach goers as they flew at low altitude as top speeds over the water.

As swimmers splashed in the surf and beachgoers lounged in the hot sun, the U.S. Navy A-18E/F Super Hornet jets flew in formation and titled sideways and upside down over the water.

What we know about the suspected shark bite

Jones Beach and state park paramedics treated one person for a suspected shark bite Friday afternoon, a parks official told Newsday.

Lifeguards and paramedics treated the individual at about noon Friday near Jones Beach Field 6, the official said.

State park officials briefly suspended swimming near Field 6 and the Eastern Bathhouse. Swimmers were advised to remain closer to shore at about waist deep.

Read the developing story here.

Is traffic lightening up? Check this live map.

As of 3 p.m., live traffic maps showed lighter traffic to main beaches, but there were still some holdups across the Island.

Waiting for tall ships in NYC: 'It's gonna be fun to see'

Scattered along Manhattan's East River waterfront are spectators waiting for a tall ship parade, which is making its way south from the Hell Gate bridge towards the tip of the island and onward.

Rick Farmer, 59, of Kips Bay, rode the bus and then walked to a shaded spot in the Two Bridges neighborhood. He's only seen these sort of ships on TV and heard about the event on social media.

"It's fascinating to see, especially with the bridges in the background — the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge — with kind of old school, I guess, with some of the really tall ships that are 100 or more years old," said Farmer, who works in commercial real estate finance. "It's gonna be fun to see."

He'll also be going to the main event Saturday, to view from Governors Island: a parade of more and bigger ships.

Beaches? Packed. Traffic? Heavy. Temps? Still rising.

As temperatures continued to climb on Friday, beachgoers at Jones Beach looked upward to see part of the rehearsal for the weekend’s FourLeaf July Fourth fireworks and air show. Organizers delivered 1,776 red, white and blue cupcakes on the boardwalk to mark the Semiquincentennial.

"So we have a great crowd coming in here. So far, not overwhelming. We have a steady crowd," said George Gorman, state parks regional director for Long Island.

Parking lots remained about half full with large crowds on Jones Beach and the boardwalk.

Overhead, performers flew over the beach doing stunts and skywriting, including drawing a heart.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights and the U.K. Red Devils parachute regiment also jumped onto the beach carrying a 5,000 square-foot American flag.

17 NYS landmarks off Long Island to be illuminated for 250th

Across New York State, 17 landmarks will be illuminated Saturday evening in red, white and blue to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday.

None of the landmarks are on Long Island.

"America’s fight for independence was shaped by the critical role that New York played in our nation's founding," Hochul said in a statement. "We are excited to welcome the tens of thousands of people who will be visiting our state to celebrate this momentous occasion with us, and we look forward to writing the next chapter of our history together."

The landmarks are:

• 1 World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds — Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal — Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• Lake Placid Olympic Center
• MTA LIRR — East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

Mamdani: 'America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed into place'

Seated at George Washington's desk at City Hall, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday delivered a speech in which he marked the nation's 250th anniversary and defended immigrants' significant role in founding America.

In a 13-minute address, Mamdani decried wealthy and powerful forces who've insisted the nation's earliest new immigrants "were anything but exceptional."

Mamdani, surrounded by 10 immigrants who recently became naturalized citizens, sharply criticized "oligarchs who buy elections" and a "health insurance industry that exploits the sick." He condemned masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for "terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors before spiriting them away in unmarked vans."

The speech made no mention of President Donald Trump, whose administration has implemented mass deportations as part of a crackdown on those living in the country without legal authorization.

The mayor's speech appeared to draw parallels between the challenging paths immigrants faced after landing on the shores of America 250 years ago to those arriving today.

"For generation after generation, we have been told that when the world has sent its people to our shores, it has not sent its best," the mayor said. "It sent Puritans and Sikhs and Quakers and Muslims and Jewish people who were banished for praying the wrong way, worshiping the wrong Gods, angering the wrong people. It sent peasants and serfs from slums and shtetls who were treated as less because they hardly owned clothes, let alone land."

But Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, argued America's exceptionalism comes not from its wealth, power or military strength.

"America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed into place," he said. "The frontier may be closed, we may have walked on the moon, but the work of fulfilling the values first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, that work endures, and it belongs to us all."

Trump is scheduled to speak from Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday at approximately 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.