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.
Latest headlines:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares state of emergency for some New York regions, urges locals to ‘prepare’
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for Long Island, New York City, Hudson Valley, Westchester, and the Capital District region on Saturday as Henri is expected to make landfall Sunday in Long Island.
“The state is doing everything we can to be ready. We’re prepositioning emergency equipment all through Long Island, Hudson Valley, we’re preparing water rescue teams for Long Island and the Hudson Valley and in Westchester,” he said in a press briefing Saturday.
He said if Henri hits as a Category 1 hurricane it’ll bring 80 mph winds, gusts up to 90 to 100 mph, and storm surge between 3 to 6 feet.
He warned locals to remember Superstorm Sandy, saying “This is right now projected to be that level of a storm. It is as serious as a heart attack.”
Cuomo said he is activating 500 National Guardsmen with necessary emergency equipment such as high water vehicles and the state will have 1,000 personnel on duty in the affected areas.
Port Authority expects flights to be cancelled and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will cancel service in Long Island starting at midnight, he said.
He urged locals who live in areas prone to flooding to leave immediately for higher ground.
Voluntary evacuation order for New York’s Fire Island
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced a voluntary evacuation order for residents and visitors of Fire Island in New York on Saturday.
He said Saturday is the only chance for locals and visitors to leave the island and ferry and water taxi service will be suspended Sunday. Emergency shelters will be set up for evacuees, he said in a press conference.
Portions of Long Island are currently under hurricane and storm surge warnings as Henri draws near, expected to make landfall in Suffolk County on Sunday.
“This storm is significant and potentially dangerous and is likely to be really impactful,” he said. “Remember the storm we experienced last year, Tropical Storm Isaias, was not a direct hit. We had 650,000 power outages from that storm. We are now looking at a weather event that may be hitting us directly.”
Henri strengthens into hurricane
Henri intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph Saturday morning around 10:45 a.m. as it continued on its track northeast.
Its track has slightly shifted to the east. On its current path, Henri is forecast to make landfall in eastern Long Island tomorrow afternoon at or near hurricane strength before weakening slightly as it reaches Connecticut, just east of New Haven.
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.
Storm weakening, slowing after hitting land
Tropical Storm Henri has already begun to lose strength as it moves inland after making landfall in Rhode Island around 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
The system was 5 miles east of Westerly, Rhode Island, at 2 p.m., moving northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph.
Tropical storm force winds are still expected along the south shore of Long Island, New York, and across southeast Connecticut.
The strongest winds will be along coastal areas of New England and Long Island through Sunday evening.
Gusts of 50 mph or higher are possible as the center of the storm tracks through the Northeast.
The primary threat Sunday will be flash flooding across most of the region.
Since the system is slowing down, the outerbands are continuing to bring heavy rain from New Jersey to Massachusetts.
Nine states remain under a flash flood watch through Monday. Three states – New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, are under flash flood warnings.
An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall will be possible the already soaked region, including New York City.
-ABC News’ Hope Osemwenkhae