NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers won't know if Hurricane Joaquin, which is twisting through the Bahamas with 129 mph winds, has a direct aim on the city until Friday night, forecasters said.
But a separate rain system is set to drench the city through Saturday and has various agencies preparing for the harsh weather.
Joaquin's path is still largely uncertain, with forecasters saying Friday is the earliest they can make a certain prediction about whether it will hit the five boroughs.
"Later tomorrow but certainly Saturday, the science and guidance will come into line and we'll have a much better idea," the National Weather Service's Tim Morrin said.
The storm is due to hit North Carolina by Sunday and then move up to southern New Jersey by Monday, Morrin said.
"Stand by. Wait and see. Wait for more confidence in the forecast. In the meantime, expect breezy conditions and rain," Morrin said.
Rain will drench the city from Friday through Saturday because of a system that has stalled over the area and unrelated to the hurricane, Morrin said.
Break in the rain for now, but more on the way. http://t.co/GlDK6iXQvG
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) October 1, 2015The rains and winds could push trees into overhead wires and cause power outages, Con Edison warned.
The utility said it's ready to deploy crews as needed, but urged New Yorkers to prepare for power outages and report any downed wires.
The Weather Service also issued "a coastal flood watch," warning that weather conditions could cause flooding in the city.
"Coastal residents should be alert for later statements or warnings and take action to protect property," the NWS advisory said.
MTA workers have begun clearing trackbeds and making repairs while also preparing portable pumps and pump trains, the authority said. They're also delivering materials like stair covers to at-risk stations.
“We depend on forecasting services to give us a heads up when inclement weather is heading our way and then we are able to effectively deploy the personnel and equipment needed to keep service moving,” said the MTA's senior vice president of subways, Joseph Leader.
Staten Island Congressman Dan Donovan reiterated the urged people to prepare for the storm.
"We've been through this before, and the most important actions people can take are to prepare well in advance and to listen to FEMA and the New York City Office of Emergency Management," Donovan said.
New Yorkers should have an emergency plan, working flashlights, battery-operated radios or televisions, extra batteries and other supplies laid out on FEMA's preparedness website, Ready.gov.
"There is nothing to lose by ensuring your family is ready in the event of flooding and power outages. Superstorm Sandy proved it is best to prepare in advance," Donovan said.
