Henri to leave Northeast Monday night, flood watches remain in effect
Flood watches are in effect from northeastern Pennsylvania to New Hampshire.
Henri continues to churn across the Northeast where heavy rain and flooding are still possible through Monday night.
Flood watches remain in effect from northeastern Pennsylvania to New Hampshire.
The storm made landfall as a tropical storm in Rhode Island early Sunday afternoon, bringing wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and a storm surge of up to 4 feet to the surrounding regions. Over 9 inches of rain was recorded in Brooklyn, New York. Henri weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday night and will leave the Northeast by Monday night.
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Connecticut declares state of emergency ahead of Henri
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont declared a statement of emergency on Friday due to the incoming storm, “to take any actions necessary to respond and protect the people of the state.”
He also requested 200 National Guard members pulled for active duty starting Saturday morning.
The storm is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, whipping winds, storm surge along the shoreline and potential flooding to the state.
“Right now, it’s a good idea for everyone to be prepared and expect to shelter in place by Sunday afternoon through at least Monday morning,” Lamont said.
A hurricane warning is in effect for New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Fairfield County.
Outer bands begin to reach New England coast
Henri is currently a category 1 hurricane with 75 mph max sustained winds as outer bands start to reach the southern New England coast and Long Island.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Long Island, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and tropical storm warnings stretch from New Jersey to Massachusetts.
Flash flood warnings have been ongoing as heavy rain has moved through, with around 4.5 inches of rain falling in Central Park — at a rate of almost 2 inches per hour -- and 6 inches falling in Brooklyn. This is just the beginning of the rain the Northeast will see as Henri moves through.
Flood watches are posted from Delaware to Vermont, and rain totals may reach or exceed 10 inches.
The path is sticking east, and it appears that the center of Henri could stay just off the eastern edge of Long Island, before making landfall early afternoon in Rhode Island at or near hurricane strength.
Once landfall occurs, rapid weakening is expected.
The storm conditions will likely cause numerous power outages, and an isolated tornado is also possible.