Feb. 28: Flood Watch

Good morning, Little Neck! The approaching spring usually means one thing: soaking rain. And the metro area has it in abundance this morning, with about 1 inch expected today on top of the 1 to 2 inches that fell across the region Friday. 

So far, problems include a mix of concrete and mud is reportedly blocking traffic on the Long Island Expressway eastbound at Utopia Parkway, with only two lanes of traffic passing through as of 5:30 this morning. 

By contrast, the Long Island Railroad reported no delays as a result of the weather this morning.

As always, exercise caution getting to work and school today, folks.

1. Congrats to the youngsters of Staten Island's P.S. 22 (who, by the way, also performed at last month), for ending last night's Academy Awards in Hollywood with their rendition of "Over the Rainbow" from the "Wizard of Oz." No word on whether they made it home in time for the resumption of classes after the Mid-Winter Recess. 

2. The city released a list of the number of teachers at each public school in danger of layoffs as part of the mayor's announced earlier this month. More on this developing story — including info on local schools affected — to come.

3. In case you missed it: Queens co-op presidents, elected officials, said they were considering over steep property tax assessment increases.

4. Check out this neat footage from an airplane of the space shuttle Discovery launching Saturday (love it when the steward announces to passengers at 1:36, "Drinks are on the house." Why am I never on that flight?). The launch is the third-to-last for NASA's decades-old shuttle program.

5. Alternate side parking rules are in effect today.