Strong winds whip across the tri-state region; damages and delays in various ways – Telemundo New York (47)

What you should know

• Heavy downpours and winds up to 60 mph are the main threats and severe weather, including tornadoes, cannot be ruled out.
• A wind advisory has been issued for New York City, Long Island, and the New Jersey shore.
• The region could see 1 to 2 inches of rain Monday night.

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Strong wind and rain caused the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to close down on Monday afternoon, causing a standstill to such an extent that some motorists abandoned their vehicles.

The complete closure on the bridge was recorded at 2:28 p.m., an MTA spokesperson reported, although the lower level reopened at 3:02 p.m.

Traffic cameras from the New York City Department of Transportation captured a large line of motorists at 2:56 p.m. along the side of the service road leading to the access ramp to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Large delays are reported on the Staten Island Expressway and Gowanus Expressway.

The MTA advises motorists to avoid the road due to the closure.

In the morning hours only the upper level was closed in both directions, due to debris left by bad weather, according to the city’s Notify NYC alert system.

In a video posted on social media, construction tarpaulins can be seen loose at the mercy of strong winds.

Starting at 10 am, all trucks with trailers were banned. The MTA ordered a total shutdown four months after five trucks capsized in just minutes during Tropical Storm Isaías.

A high wind advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect until 7 p.m.

A tornado watch was issued Monday afternoon when a powerful storm hit the tri-state area with damaging winds and heavy rain.

Heavy downpours and wind gusts of up to 60 mph have left nearly 40,000 people without power across the area, according to the latest report at 4:00 p.m.

Tornado watch covers several New Jersey counties, including Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset. In Hunterdon it will be in effect until 4:00 pm and in the others it is until 7:00 pm

Heavy downpours and winds up to 60 mph are the main threats and severe weather, including tornadoes, cannot be ruled out. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for New York City, parts of Long Island, and the New Jersey shoreline. Suffolk County was added to a high wind warning until 10:00 pm

The rain will hit southern New Jersey before sunrise and will increase in New York City around 7 a.m. Monday. The rain will become heaviest at noon with 1 to 2 inches of rain possible by Monday night.

Strong winds caused traffic officials to close the upper level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at 10:30 a.m. The MTA said that traffic was being diverted to the lower level.