Post-Tropical Cyclone Henri expected to impact Northeast Monday: LIVE UPDATES
Storm expected to bring flooding and heavy rainfall to the Northeast.
Coverage for this event has ended.
The slow-moving tropical depression Henri is expected to continue bringing heavy rain and flood across portions of Southern New England and the Northern Mid-Atlantic states on Monday, forecasters said.
The storm was beginning to turn east and moving at a speed of 6 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. update.
Flood watches were still in effect across northeast Pennsylvania, southeast New York, northeast New Jersey, Long Island, and portions of New England, the agency said.
Rainfall of up to 2 inches was expected to fall in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, while up to 3 inches was expected in southeast New York, Long Island, and southern to central New England through tonight.
Waves pound a seawall in Montauk, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, as Tropical Storm Henri affects the Atlantic coast. (AP)
Tropical Storm Henri packed a punch for the Northeast on Sunday and resulted in power outages across Rhode Island and flooding in nearby states, but the region was largely spared the worst-case scenario.
The storm is considered to be slow-moving and expected to impact the region throughout Monday, the Providence Journal reported. There were about 76,000 National Grid customers in the state without power as of Sunday afternoon, the paper reported. The report pointed out that the state was largely spared the worst possible outcome after it was downgraded from a hurricane prior to reaching the state’s coast.
When it made landfall near Westerly, Rhode Island, Henri had sustained winds of about 60 mph and gusts of up to 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. By late Sunday, Henri had sustained winds of about 30 mph as it moved across Connecticut toward the New York state line.
President Biden on Sunday said he has approved emergency declarations for Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York as they address the damage brought by Tropical Storm Henri.
The emergency declarations activate funds and gives the federal government more leeway to intervene.
“We don’t know the full extent of the storm’s impact today. But we’re acting to prepare for and prevent damage as much as possible and to speed help to affected communities so they can recover as quickly as possible.
President Biden on Sunday urged governors in states impacted by Tropical Storm Henri to take advantage assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
He said FEMA has “pre-positioned resources” to speed up the administration’s ability to respond including food, water, life-saving communications equipment, and generators.
“Thousands of additional line crews and vegetation-clearing crews from other states and Canada are already heading toward the impacted states … ready to move in as soon as feasible,” Biden said.
President Biden on Sunday said Tropical Storm Henri, despite being downgraded, has the potential for “widespread consequences” across the New England region with “significant flooding and power outages that could affect hundreds of thousands of people.”
A New Market Volunteer Fire Company rescue crew member wades through high waters following a flash flood, as Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on August 22, 2021. (Photo by Tom Brenner / AFP)
Residents examine flood damage along John Street following flash flooding in the area, as Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on August 22, 2021. (Photo by TOM BRENNER/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company perform a secondary search during an evacuation effort following a flash flood, as Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on August 22, 2021. (Photo by TOM BRENNER/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company assist Doug, a neighborhood resident, during a flash flood as Tropical Strom Henri makes landfall in Helmetta, N.J.
Tropical Strom Henri slammed into Rhode Island early Sunday afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of Americans, canceling flights and bringing record rainfall.
The storm – downgraded from a Category 1 Hurricane – hit land near the town of Westerly around 12:15 p.m. EST, the National Weather Service said.
Henri is a rare tropical storm to hit America’s Northeastern seaboard and comes as the surface layer of oceans warms because of climate change.
A truck drives through a flooded Atlantic Ave in Westerly, R.I., as Tropical Storm Henri approaches, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tropical Storm Henri made landfall Sunday afternoon near Westerly, Rhode Island, the National Hurricane Center said.
The center of Henri is currently passing near Block Island and on the forecast track the center is expected to make landfall in Rhode Island by early afternoon. A dangerous storm surge, strong gusty winds and flooding rainfall are expected across portions of northeastern United States, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
National Hurricane Center 10 a.m. update
National Hurricane Center 10 a.m. UPDATE: Tropical storm conditions occurring over portions of southern New England and eastern Long Island
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, delivering a press conference on his last day of office amid a sexual harassment scandal, said Tropical Storm Henri is expected to hit Long Island at about 11 a.m. ET, west of Montauk. He said 500 National Guard troops, 1000 New York State Police and 500 pieces of equipment have been deployed as part of preparatory measures.
There is flooding along the south shore of Long Island, as crews are building up the sand dunes to protect areas including Long Beach. President Biden approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration, meaning preparatory work will be subject to federal reimbursement.
Cuomo said Biden "is a good soul" who always "does the right thing."
National Hurricane Center 9 a.m. update
The center of the storm is about 35 miles southeast of Montauk Point, New York
Waves pound the beaches of Montauk, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, as a severe weather system approaches. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
National Hurricane Center 8 a.m. ET: Center of Henri moving closer to eastern Long Island and southern New England. Dangerous storm surge, strong gusty winds, and flooding rainfall are expected in portions of the northeastern United States.
Tropical Storm Henri has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph
As of 7 a.m. ET, Block Island, Rhode Island was sustaining winds of 39 mph and a gust to 49 mph. Narragansett, Rhode Island was sustaining winds of 40 mph and a gust to 52 mph. Tropical Storm Henri was located about 50 miles southeast of Montauk Point, New York.
Tropical storm conditions continue to spread across portions of southern New England
Henri was downgraded to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center indicated in its 7 a.m. ET update.
National Hurricane Center 6 AM EDT Update for Hurricane Henri: Tropical storm conditions beginning to spread across portions of southern New England
On the forecast track, Henri is expected to make landfall in southern New England or on Long Island late this morning or early this afternoon
A dangerous storm surge inundation is expected for parts of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts Sunday morning along with heavy rainfall and flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center reported at 5 a.m. ET.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. (New York State Executive Chamber)
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo curtly told a reporter during his Hurricane Henri news conference on Saturday that he didn’t want to talk about "Albany politics" after the journalist asked about the newest revelation in the Democrat's sexual harassment scandal.
"This is about a storm briefing to save lives of New Yorkers," Cuomo lectured the Law Journal reporter who asked about potential retaliation against accuser Charlotte Bennett, a former Cuomo aide whose credibility was questioned last week by Cuomo's personal attorney.
With the center of the storm projected to pass just off the eastern tip of Long Island by midday, hurricane warnings extended from coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island to near the old whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and across the luxurious oceanfront estates of New York’s Hamptons to the summer getaway of Fire Island.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More than 55 million people in the Northeast were under hurricane and tropical storm warnings as Henri heads toward Southern New England and Long Island early Sunday, according to reports and the National Hurricane Center
CNN spent weeks hyping Saturday’s star-studded "We Love New York: The Homecoming Concert," which it planned to broadcast from New York City’s Central Park.
The event was supposed to celebrate the city’s reopening after coronavirus shutdowns.
Instead, performances by the night’s biggest names – including Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and others – were canceled as rain and dangerous lightning ahead of the approaching Hurricane Henri prompted the concert’s organizers to interrupt, and later end, the show.
"There is a pause in the #NYCHomeComingWeek concert due to weather. Please carefully exit the Great Lawn," the Twitter account for Central Park said.
This afternoon, President Biden convened a call with Northeastern Governors, FEMA Administrator Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall to discuss Hurricane Henri’s anticipated landfall on Long Island or Southern New England on Sunday.
They discussed how Governors are working closely with FEMA and the National Guard to prepare for and be ready to respond to the storm’s impacts, which could include widespread power outages, coastal storm surge, and inland flooding.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discussed the resources and supplies that FEMA is pre-positioning in the region, including over 700 response personnel, meals, tarps, and generators. They also discussed what the utility companies are doing to prepare for the potential for widespread power outages, including by moving additional line and tree crews and other equipment from outside the affected region where assistance can be surged from if needed.
They discussed how important it is for residents in the storm’s path to prepare now for significant impacts since this is the first Hurricane to make landfall in the Northeast in 30 years, including by visiting Ready.gov, and the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the use of vaccines, masks, and social distancing if sheltering is required. On the call, the President made clear that states have the full support of the Federal government to aid local emergency response efforts.
The President and his team were joined on the call by:
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker
Maine Gov. Janet Mills
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee
Hurricane Henri could make Northeast landfall Saturday night
The Red Cross has released tips on how to prepare for Hurricane Henri.
As Tropical Storm Henri is forecast to reach hurricane strength late this weekend taking aim at the northeast coast, the American Red Cross is preparing to shelter and support families in the path. People all along the East Coast should be aware swells from Henri will cause life-threatening surf and rip currents through the weekend. Strong winds and flooding from heavy rain and a high storm surge are likely across southern New England and eastern Long Island. Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches are in effect for portions of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southeastern Massachusetts with additional watches or warnings likely. Now is the time to prepare for the storm’s arrival.
Preparing for Henri: The Red Cross is getting shelter and relief supplies in position and has volunteers ready to respond. While the exact path and potential impact of Henri is still uncertain, the Red Cross is coordinating with community partners and emergency responders to be ready to provide aid.
It’s important to remember that responding to disasters is a team effort and no single organization can do it alone — this is particularly true in this current environment. How to stay safe:
Monitor local weather conditions
Listen to the advice of local authorities and evacuate immediately if asked to do so
Check emergency kits now and have enough supplies for several days if not in an area that is asked to evacuate.
Create an evacuation plan and know what to do in case you are separated from family members
Get your home ready in advance: cover windows with storm shutters or plywood, store and secure outside items to protect them from high winds
Fill your car’s tank with gas
Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means conditions are likely and to stay alert. A warning means act now. Stay indoors and away from windows.
Don’t forget about pets: bring them indoors and prepare an emergency kit with leashes, carriers, food, water, bows and photos of you and your pet in case you are separated.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for access to real time storm information and safety tips. The Emergency app is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
People fish as large waves hit the rocks at the Charlestown Breachway Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Charlestown, R.I. New Englanders, bracing for their first direct hit by a hurricane in 30 years, are taking precautions as Tropical Storm Henri barrels toward the southern New England coast. Credit: AP Photo/Stew Milne
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a pre-emptive state of emergency Saturday for Long Island, New York City, Westchester, Hudson Valley and Capital District ahead of the oncoming Hurricane Henri.
In a news briefing, the governor said that he was "concerned" that the people of the state have had "less notice" prior to the fast-approaching storm.
"So, I hope people take this very seriously," he said.
Cuomo said the state was working with utility companies to prepare for outages and that it was working with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to coordinate its response.
500 National Guard troops have been deployed in the effort, in addition to 1,000 State Police personnel.
"Our priority now is to protect life and safety," he told reporters.
Cuomo said noted that travel will likely be impacted as the Long Island Rail Road plans to cancel train service east of Ronkonkoma and east of Patchogue beginning at around midnight and the Metro-North Railroad is also "considering" service changes.
According to WPIX11, Port Authority officials expect that flights will be canceled.
He also pleaded with Fire Island residents to heed Suffolk County's voluntary evacuation order.
At the end of the day, he said, "it is up to the people of the state to make the right decision."
New York has not had a direct hit from a powerful cyclone since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In a Saturday news conference, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced a voluntary evacuation order for residents of Fire Island.
Bellone told reporters that the county was urging residents and visitors to leave for their safety and that there was a "consensus" about the importance of evacuating as Hurricane Henri barrels toward Long Island.
The storm, he said, would likely hit as a Category 1 hurricane. But, should it hit as a tropical storm, Bellone noted, it would still be "significant and potentially dangerous."
Those who do not leave, he added, would be facing "potentially dangerous conditions," including widespread power outages and flooding.
However, some uncertainty remained as to what the storm would bring to the area -- in what is likely to be a direct hit -- on Sunday.
On Twitter , Bellone later wrote that the last ferries leaving Fire Island before Henri makes landfall will be at 10:40 p.m. ET, "but people should expect those boats to be full and should make plans to leave as soon as they can to avoid potential capacity issues."
Hurricane Henry on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Credit: NOAA/NWS National Hurricane Center
Hurricane Henry was located around 180 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina late Saturday morning.
The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.
Henri was moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph, though a faster northward to north-northeastward motion is forecast today, followed by a decrease in forward speed and a turn toward the north-northwest on Sunday.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Long Island or in southern New England on Sunday.
Additional strengthening is predicted to occur on Saturday night, though Henri is anticipated to weaken prior to landfall.
That said, the hurricane is projected to be at or near hurricane strength when it reaches the coasts of Long Island and southern New England.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning of dangerous storm surge, flooding and the possibility of a tornado or two on Sunday over southern New England.
A hurricane warning for the southern coast of New England, including Rhode Island, was being extended eastward to west of Westport, Massachusetts, encompassing Block Island.
The NHC said a tropical storm warning for the coast of Massachusetts had been extended eastward, including Nantucket.
Officials in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York cautioned that people could lose power for a week -- or even longer.
Gov. Ned Lamont warned Connecticut residents they should prepare to “shelter in place” from Sunday afternoon through Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The NWS National Hurricane Center reported Saturday that Tropical Storm Henri has strengthened to a hurricane.
In a Twitter post, the agency said that Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings for Henri had been extended eastward.
Dangerous storm surge is forecast to begin late Saturday or Sunday in the Storm Surge Warning area including parts of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
Hurricane conditions are expected to begin late Saturday night or Sunday in portions of Long Island, Connecticut and Rhode Island, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect.
Tropical storm conditions will also begin in those areas on Saturday night.
FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2021, file photo President Joe Biden speaks about the evacuation of American citizens, their families, SIV applicants and vulnerable Afghans in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the trajectory of Tropical Storm Henri, a White House official told Fox News on Saturday.
The White House said it is closely monitoring the storm as it makes its way toward the Northeast.
Henri is forecast to become a hurricane by later on Saturday.
It is expected to make landfall in Long Island, New York or southern New England on Sunday.
Henri was located a couple of hundred miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, according to the NWS National Hurricane Center.
In a Friday advisory, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) urged Americans to prepare for severe weather ahead of Tropical Storm Henri.
The storm was expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Saturday, impacting the Northeast.
Residents who are in the affected areas are advised to gather supplies including medication, face masks, disinfectant and pet supplies.
Additionally, the agency warned not to drive through flood water as almost half of all flash flood deaths occur in vehicles.
"When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle," FEMA wrote.
Americans should also be prepared to evacuate if told to do so and be familiar with evacuation routes.
FEMA's guidance includes creating a family emergency communications plan, keeping a battery-powered radio handy and having plans for family members and pets.
"If you are a person with disabilities, you may need to take additional steps to plan for both your needs and your service animal," the advisory noted.
Lastly, people are told to monitor local news for updates, follow FEMA social media accounts, download the FEMA app and visit Ready.gov or listo.gov for more information.
"Now is the time to prepare for #Henri," FEMA spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg tweeted Friday . "Significant impacts are expected to start Sunday morning. Make sure you heed the directions of your local officials and stay vigilant to keep you and your family safe."
A marina worker watches as a sailboat is hauled out of the water onto dry land in advance of an expected storm, Friday Aug. 20, 2021, in Plymouth, Mass. New Englanders, bracing for their first direct hit by a hurricane in 30 years, are taking precautions as Tropical Storm Henri barrels toward the southern New England coast. Credit: AP Photo/Phil Marcelo
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wilmington, North Carolina reported that more than 50 water rescues were performed at New Hanover County beaches on Friday.
"Lifeguards were extremely busy Friday, as over 50 rip current rescues were reported from Carolina Beach to Wrightsville Beach, NC," the agency tweeted on Saturday morning. "A high risk for rip currents continues today."
30 of those rescues were performed at Wrightsville Beach, 15 at Kure Beach and eight at Carolina Beach, according to WECT.
The NWS National Hurricane Center warned Saturday of life-threatening storm surge from the oncoming Tropical Storm Henri and told beachgoers to remain alert.
The NWS instructs those who plan on visiting beaches to follow guidance from local beach officials and never enter the surf without flotation.
Tropical Storm Henri on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Credit: NOAA/NWS National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Tropical Storm Henri expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Saturday, bringing dangerous conditions to the Northeast.
The storm was swirling around 200 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and moving toward the north-northeast near 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Henri is forecast to make landfall in Long Island, New York or southern New England on Sunday.
Storm surge from 3 to 5 feet was possible from Flushing, New York, to Chatham, Massachusetts and parts of the North Shore and South Shore of Long Island.
Live Coverage begins here