STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE... IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE THE EXACT HEIGHTS OF COMBINED STORM SURGE AND TIDE WATERS FOR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FORECAST AREA TO BE CAUSED BY HURRICANE IRENE. MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PRECISE SIZE... INTENSITY AND TRACK OF THE SYSTEM AS IT APPROACHES THE COAST. BASED ON THE FORECAST TRACK OF IRENE THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SEVERAL FEET OF SURGE... PARTICULARLY IN WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND... NEW [lacrosse] HARBOR... LONG ISLAND SOUND... AND THE SOUTH SHORE BACK BAYS OF LONG ISLAND AND NEW [lacrosse] CITY. THESE TIDAL CONDITIONS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE... DESTRUCTIVE... AND LIFE THREATENING WAVES.

INLAND FLOODING... A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED. SEE THE LATEST FORECAST FOR LATEST INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS FOR YOUR LOCATION... AND BE READY TO ACT IF FLOODING RAINS OCCUR.