#Tri-state area under tornado watch Sunday ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias

Enlarge Image

LIZABETH MENZIES/RAMMB/NOAA/NESDIS/AFP via Getty Images

A tornado watch was issued Sunday in the tri-state area as a round of severe weather was set to hit — even before Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to come down on New York this week.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont until 10 p.m., with serious thunderstorms expected to come down before the weekend is out.

Then on Monday and Tuesday, Tropical Storm Isaias is predicted to impact the Big Apple and surrounding areas.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters Sunday that he’s “concerned” about the big storm, which was making its way up the East Coast.

“We’re concerned about it here in New York. We are getting ready for it,” Cuomo said. “We don’t think we’ll have hurricane force winds, but we could have significant winds and significant downfall.”

He urged local governments to be prepared.

“Right now the models project that it will hit the New York City area, Long Island, especially the South Shore of Long Island and the Hudson Valley…,” Cuomo said.

“We’re preparing. It’s Monday night, Tuesday primarily,” the governor added. “It’s supposed to be over by Wednesday morning. But people should start to take note.”

The New York City Emergency Management Department said it was keeping an eye on Isaias, which was on track to bring a downpour on the Big Apple Monday afternoon.

More widespread impacts are expected on Tuesday, including three to six inches of rain, coastal flooding and strong winds of up to 50 mph with gusts up to 65 mph, the agency said.

“NYC Emergency Management has been closely monitoring this system since before it became a tropical storm, and we’re gearing up for any possible impacts the city may face as a result of the storm,” said agency commissioner Deanne Criswell.

“We encourage New Yorkers to make a family emergency plan, pack a Go Bag, including hand sanitizer and extra face coverings, charge cell phones, and have an emergency supply kit to be ready for any kind of emergency.”