Tropical Storm Henri dumps all-time record rainfall on New York City
Tropical Storm Henri dumps record rainfall on NYC – two inches in ONE hour – with another three inches forecast for today
Tropical Storm Henri made landfall in Westerly, Rhode Island at around 12.15pm Sunday, and ultimately helped New York City smash its record for the most rainfall ever recorded in an hour – 1.94 inchesThe National Weather Service put flash flood warnings in place in New York City, parts of Southern New York and southeastern New Jersey as the storm stalled over the region, producing sustained rainfall More than 35million people have been issued a flood warning in the areaMore than 140,000 people from New Jersey to Maine were without power as of early Sunday afternoon At least 1,000 flights out of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts had been cancelled as of Sunday morning Amid torrential rain Saturday evening, New York City saw its wettest hour on record Rain began battering New York City on Saturday night as the storm approached Several videos posted online showed drivers plowing through high water in New York and New JerseyThe storm is expected to bring serious wind damage, 3 to 6 inches of rain and up to 5 feet of storm surge NYC’s ‘Homecoming’ concert intended to mark the end of the Covid pandemic was dramatically cancelled half way through, as Barry Manilow was singing on stage as the city was hit by thunderstormsRevelers were told to leave Central Park immediately as lightning and torrential rain hit the city
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All tropical storm warnings have been discontinued for Tropical Storm Henri as it continues to weaken as it moves inland after leaving parts of Rhode Island and New York under water.
Henri has been downgraded to a tropical depression, and will continue to dump rain across much of the north east on Monday. Despite unfounded fears Henri would hit the east coast as a hurricane, it still caused widespread havoc.
Around 140,000 homes were left without power between New Jersey and Maine, more than 1,000 flights were cancelled, and New York City smashed its record for the most rainfall ever recorded there in a single hour.
That record saw 1.94 inches of rain fall in Central Park between 10pm and 11pm Saturday – the largest amount recorded in the Big Apple over a 60 minute period since records began.
The 4.45 inches of total rainfall recorded on August 21 set a record for that day, with the 7.04 inches that had fallen by Sunday evening the highest two day total seen in NYC since 2011’s Hurricane Irene.
Much of Long Island shut down amid fears of chaos, with parts of New Jersey also hard-hit. First responders rescued 80 people – including 16 children – from cars in Newark, as much of the Garden State and NYC reported flash floods.
Flood watches remain in effect through Monday for New York and New Jersey, as well as Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. Meteorologists expect another three inches of rain to fall.
The storm came ashore in Westerly, Rhode Island at around 12.15pm Sunday, the National Hurricane Center reported, with gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and sustained winds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Flash flood warnings were issued for New York City, parts of southern New York and Southeastern New Jersey as the effects of Tropical Storm Henri could still be felt throughout the New England region going into Sunday evening.
Sunday afternoon the National Hurricane Center said Henri is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Monday morning as it moves northwest from upstate New York to southern Vermont.
The center of the storm will track toward the Connecticut/New York border on Sunday night, then take a turn to the east and eventually travel out to sea beginning Monday afternoon, when Henri is expected continue weakening and reach post-tropical cyclone status, CNN reported.
Despite it’s weakening status, the NHC advised people in Henri’s path to be alert for storm surges, hurricane conditions and flooding rain continuing in parts of the Northeast.
Sunday morning waves off the coast of Rhode Island’s Block Island were recorded as reaching up to 19 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NWS offices in the area issued a flood watch for more than 35million people across the Northeastern US.
As of 2pm the storm had slowed both in intensity and speed over southwestern Rhode Island, but continued to produce sustained winds of up to 50 miles per hour as well as flooding rainfall, according to the National Hurricane Center.
New York and New Jersey’s flash-flood warnings, which are set to remain in place until 5.45pm, affect more than 11 million people, and come in addition to those already in place for Connecticut as the storm stalls inland, increasing the risk of flooding.
Flash flooding has already occurred across the region, with more rain anticipated, the National Weather Service reported.
A young girl plays in the rain under storm clouds as surfers ride the waves on a closed beach in Queens, New York as Tropical Storm Henri brings strong surf and high winds to the area
A surfer smiles as he bails on a wave in Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York as Tropical Storm Henri brings strong surf and high winds to the area
A surfer climbs over a fence after city beaches were closed due to waves churned up by Tropical Storm Henri at Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York
A car makes its way around a downed tree across a power line on Route 138 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island as Tropical Storm Henri passes by the state
In Long Island, New York drivers navigate flash floods caused by Tropical Storm Henri that slammed into the East Coast
First responders assisted in evacuation efforts in Helmetta, New Jersey after Tropical Storm Henri caused flash floods in the area on Sunday afternoon
Henri, which remains a tropical storm as of Sunday afternoon, first hit the town of Westerly in Rhode Island at around 12.15pm, and continues to cause severe rains throughout the New England region
First responders waded through Helmetta, New Jersey Sunday afternoon. The threat of flash floods lingers as Henri slows over Rhode Island, threatening to drench the region in flooding rain
Downed power lines seen in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Winds from Tropical Storm Henri had left roughly 127,000 people across the New England region without power as of Sunday afternoon
Surfers enjoyed the waves produced by the storms in the Rockaways neighborhood of Queens
Tropical-storm-force winds could still be felt 125 miles outward from Henri, the National Weather Service reported, and bands from the storm are lingering over the region.
The storm’s movement had slowed to 9 miles per hour, and continued to move northwest through Rhode Island, the agency reported.
As of Sunday afternoon, more than 130,000 customers have lost power in the Northeast, primarily in Rhode Island, according Poweroutage.us.
In Rhode Island alone, more than 100,000 people were expected to lose electricity, Gov. Daniel McKee reported.
In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said that 24,000 people were without power, mainly concentrated in southeast portion of the state, near where the storm made landfall.
He said he anticipated more in the northwest region of Connecticut as the storm continued to move inland, and urged caution.
In New Jersey, emergency personnel and first responders look to help any residents in need after heavy rains from Henri flooded the area
Waves pound the seawall in Montauk, New York on Sunday as Tropical Storm Henri affects the Atlantic coast
Firefighters in Massachusetts worked to extract the passengers of a vehicle damaged by tree felled by Tropical Storm Henri at around 2.30pm
Boats could be seen off their moorings in Jamestown Rhode Island Sunday afternoon, after Tropical Storm Henri brought storm surges and winds of up to 70 miles per hour to the state and surrounding region
New Jersey residents observed damage Sunday afternoon, after a reservoir overflowed amid the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Henri
Fallen tree damage due to Henri in Connecticut (left) and Rhode Island Sunday afternoon. Roughly 80,000 people in the state were without power as of Sunday afternoon
Flooding seen in Westerly, Rhode Island, after Henri made landfall in the neighborhood. It is currently heading northwest at about 9 miles per hour
Residents in Rhode Island began sharing photos of downed trees on Sunday afternoon, as Henri still lingered in the area
Waves crashed along a seawall in Montauk, New York Sunday afternoon as Tropical Storm Henri brought sustained winds of up to 60 miles per hour throughout the New England region
An onlooker watched the waves being churned up by Tropical Storm Henri Sunday morning at a beach in Westerly, Rhode Island, where it made landfall at around 12.15pm, bringing with is gusts of up to 70 miles per hour
Radar imagery shows the center of Henri lingering around Rhode Island, where it has slowed to around 9 miles per hour
The chief danger as of Sunday afternoon, he said was flooding.
Additionally, more than 1,000 flights had been cancelled at airports in New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey due to the storm, with more expected throughout the day, according to CNN.
According to flightaware.com, in total there have been 1,090 flight cancellations in the US so far on Sunday, and 2,609 delays.
Boston Logan and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey canceled a combined total of 211 flights – around a quarter of all flights each had scheduled for the day.
Rick Cotton, director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, reported during a Sunday morning press conference that 23 percent of flights at LaGuardia, 11 percent of flights at JFK, 22 percent of flights at Newark had been cancelled, but none of the airports expected flooding.
Actor James Woods tweeted a photo of damage to his lake house in Rhode Island Sunday morning
In Connecticut, four nursing homes in Guilford, West Haven, Old Saybrook and West Haven were evacuated, affecting a total of 280 residents, WFSB reported.
New York City’s subways were operating without any suspensions, Janno Lieber, acting chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported, but LIRR and Metro North branches in the most affected areas of eastern Long Island and Connecticut were suspended.
Perhaps most seriously, due to their topography, areas in New York’s Hudson Valley, Connecticut and Massachusetts could see serious flooding, Cuomo reported.
‘Rain and a high level of rain for a significant period of time is highly problematic,’ he said, adding ‘I’ve seen towns float away.’
He said he anticipated the storm to remain a concern for about 24 hours.
Westerly resident Collette Chisholm, a 20-year resident, said the waves were much higher than normal, but said she wasn´t concerned about her home suffering extensive damage.
‘I love storms,’ she said. ‘I think they´re exciting, as long as no one gets hurt.’
Meanwhile actor James Woods tweeted out a photo of damage from fallen trees to his lake house in Rhode Island.
In Newport, Paul and Cherie Saunders were riding out the storm in a home that her family has owned since the late 1950s. Their basement flooded with 5 feet of water during Superstorm Sandy nine years ago.
A couple and their dog was hit with wind-driven spray from waves of of Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island around noon as Henri began to make landfall in the area
A fallen tree blocks a street in Newport, Rhode Island, where Henri is bringing about 60mph winds. As of around noon, nearly 75,000 people in the state were without power
The parking lot of a marina in Bradford Connecticut floods as high tide and storm surges combine while Henri affects the region
Flooding near the shore of Westerly, Rhode Island where Tropical Storm Henri made landfall at around 12.15pm Sunday
‘This house has been through so many hurricanes and so many things have happened,’ said Cherie Saunders, 68. ‘We´re just going to wait and see what happens.”‘
Farther south in Branford, Connecticut, 61-year-old geologist Paul Muniz was busy securing his boat in anticipation of the storm.
Muniz lives close to the marina and has survived previous storms, and spent $50,000 to elevate his home 9 feet off the ground.
‘I´ve lived here for 32 years, had an opportunity to move a number of times, but you know, it´s a very special place,’ Muniz said.
Waves crashed over a pier in New London, Connecticut last Sunday morning
A man walks out into the Atlantic to body surf Sunday morning in Connecticut. Tropical Storm Henri is expected to make landfall near the state’s border with Rhode Island early in the afternoon
A truck drove through a flooded road in Westerly Rhode Island late Sunday afternoon. Tropical storm Henri is expected to make landfall nearby early in the afternoon
Rainfall of up to five inches is expected, with a chance for the storm to slow and linger, and increasing the likelihood of serious flooding, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced during a Sunday morning press conference.
Strong winds had begun lashing the region at around 10am as Rhode Island and eastern Long Island saw gusts of up to 63 miles per hour and 56 miles per hour respectively, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It is anticipated to bring gusts of up to 70-mile-per-hour winds, as well as storm surges of up to five feet on parts of Long Island.
Despite it weakening below hurricane strength, the National Weather Service warned that the threats posed by the storm – particularly heavy rain – remained the same.
The storm had been originally projected to hit eastern Long Island, but shifted north east
Buildings were boarded up in Montauk, Long Island, where Tropical Storm Henri was expected to make landfall before shifting northeast to Rhode Island
Boarded up homes on Hotchkiss Grove beach, Connecticut Sunday morning. Henri is expected to make its way across the New England region, bringing heavy rains
A boarded up convenience store in Montauk Sunday morning. Parts of Long Island could see wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour from Henri
Fishing vessels moored in Sunday morning in Montauk, where the storm surge as a result of Henri could reach up to five feet
The first thunderstorms fed by moisture from Henri brought up to half a foot of rain late Saturday, and flooding began in some areas overnight.
New York’s Central Park set an all-time record for rain in an hour, with 1.94″ falling by 11:51pm – beating the previous record of 1.76″ of rain recorded in the park on September 8, 2004.
It marked the wettest hour the city had ever seen on record.
The center of Henri was initially projected to pass over the eastern tip of Long Island by midday, resulting in storm warnings extended from coastal Connecticut and near the old whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to across the luxurious oceanfront estates of New York´s Hamptons, to the summer getaway of Fire Island.
‘Henri has weakened slightly and is now below hurricane strength,’ the agency tweeted Sunday morning.
‘This does NOT CHANGE the overall threats, especially the heavy rain threat.’
Henri was expected to make landfall at Montauk, and make its way across the New England region, bringing heavy and sustained rains to areas in New York’s Hudson Valley, Connecticut and Massachusetts, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a Sunday morning press conference
BROOKLYN, NYC: Videos posted online showed drivers plowing through high water in New York City, and Newark and Hoboken, New Jersey Saturday evening, when moisture from the storm caused torrential downpours
Flood water was seen on Saturday evening gushing into homes on Throop Avenue in Brooklyn
WILLIAMSBURG, NYC: Streets were covered in water in Brooklyn as torrential rain battered New York ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Henri
Flash flooding hit the streets in Gowanus Brooklyn Saturday evening around 10pm amid torrential rain
WILLIAMSBURG, NYC: Rain began battering New York City on Saturday night as the storm approached
Some 55 million people are under storm warnings ahead of the arrival of Henri, and the National Hurricane Center warned that winds that could reach 80 mph.
Eversource, who provide power to 1.2 million customers in Connecticut, warned that between 50% and 69% their customers could lose power for between eight and 21 days, NBC reports.
Tropical storm-intensity winds began striking the coast at around 8am.
Several videos posted online showed drivers plowing through high water in New York City, and Newark and Hoboken, New Jersey.
A bicyclist made their way through a flooded street in Rhode Island where the outer bands of the storm began lashing the area at around 9.30am
Waves crashed against the sea wall in New Longdon, Connecticut Sunday morning as Henri spread across the New England region
Strong winds lashed the region, with Rhode Island and eastern Long Island recording gusts upwards of 40 miles per hour
Despite downgrading Henri to a tropical storm., the National Weather Service warned that heavy rain and storm surges remained a threat
The National Weather Service downgraded Henri to a tropical storm Sunday morning, but warned the threat remained the same
CENTRAL PARK, NYC: The ‘Homecoming’ concert intended to mark the end of the Covid pandemic was dramatically cancelled half way through, as Barry Manilow was singing on stage as the city was hit by thunderstorms
President Joe Biden on Sunday morning approved states of emergency declared in areas of New York state and Connecticut.
People in the projected path spent Saturday scrambling to stock up on groceries and gasoline. Some gas stations from Cape Cod to Long Island sold out of fuel.
Those close to the coast boarded up windows and, in some cases, evacuated.
Officials in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York cautioned that people could lose power for days.
Authorities advised people to secure their boats, fuel up their vehicles and stock up on canned goods.
HOBOKEN NJ: Streets were completely submerged after flash flooding in new Jersey (left) while The Brooklyn Queens Expressway was closed in both directions due to flooding (right)
QUEENS: Water is seen pouring into an underground subway station in Ozone Park (left) while the basement of an apartment building in Brooklyn was flooded (right)
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY: Roads were submerged after torrential downpours (left) – while water poured down stairs like a waterfall in Brooklyn
People ran back from watching waves at Ponquogue Beach in the Hamptons Long Island Sunday morning as Henri neared
Police in Southampton on eastern Long Island closed a flooded road as Henri began to make landfall Sunday morning
WESTHAMPTON, NY: Cars waited in line to fill up on gas Saturday ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Henri
WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND: Panic buying saw shelves stripped of supplies as Tropical Storm Henri barreled towards the state
Approaching severe weather Saturday night also cut short a superstar-laden concert in Central Park. The show headlined by Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jennifer Hudson was meant to celebrate New York City´s recovery from the coronavirus.
But officials asked concertgoers to leave the park during Barry Manilow´s set amid the threat of lightning.
NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT: Homeowners began barricading their windows and doors with plywood
VALLEY STREAM, NY: A road sign flashes a hurricane warning on Southern State Parkway
A satellite image taken Saturday afternoon shows Tropical Storm Henri barreling towards New England where it is expected to make landfall on Sunday
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that swells from the storm can cause ‘life-threatening surf and rip currents’
Henri began making landfall Sunday morning at tropical storm strength, with winds that could reach 80 mph
New York City’s ‘Homecoming’ concert canceled half way through Manilow set
New York City’s homecoming concert was dramatically cancelled half way through, and revelers were told to leave Central Park immediately and seek shelter as Tropical Storm Henri barreled down on the city.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC officials had ignored a storm watch for the Big Apple ahead of the concert, and planned to push ahead with the event on the Great Lawn in Central Park.
The ‘We Love NYC, The Homecoming Concert’ was intended to mark the end of the Covid pandemic in the city that was the global epicenter for the virus back in April 2020.
But just after 7:40pm, as Barry Manilow was singing a medley of his hits on stage, the music was suddenly stopped as lightning strikes were reported within the city.
Manilow was part way through singing ‘I Can’t Smile Without You’ when concertgoers were told to ‘quickly and calmly proceed to the nearest exit’.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said: ‘We need everyone for brief period of time to move to some place safe because of thunder and lightening, and then we will bring the concert back.’
But as concertgoers deserted the park and the torrential rain and lightning showed no signs of easing, officials pulled the plug.
New York City’s homecoming concert has been dramatically cancelled half way through and revelers were told to leave Central Park immediately and seek shelter as Hurricane Henri barreled down on the city
The ‘We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert’ in Central Park was cut short due to rain storms that are part of Henri in New York
Officials had ignored a tropical storm watch for the Big Apple and insisted that the homecoming concert would continue as planned
A sea of unmasked New Yorkers packed Central Park to watch a star-studded line up of performers Saturday evening as Henri was on the horizon.
Concertgoers flood out of Central Park after the Homecoming concert was called off
People leave We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert as the event was canceled due to weather during in Central Park on Saturday
A weather anchor for CNN revealed that city officials had previously said they would need to call off the concert if lightning struck anywhere within 10 miles of the show.
Manilow appeared on the network in a phone interview after his performance was cut short.
‘It’s such a shame,’ Manilow said. ‘They cut us off and threw us off the stage because they were afraid of lightning. It was getting very dangerous out there.’
He then sang I Made It Through the Rain over the phone while Anderson Cooper waved his arms.
On Saturday a sea of unmasked New Yorkers packed Central Park to watch a star-studded line up of performers as Tropical Storm Henri was on the horizon.
Big name headliners including Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Jennifer Hudson had entertained a crowd of up to 60,000 in Central Park.
Just before the concert was stopped, some people had posted on social media that they had been in line for three hours but still hadn’t been admitted to the park for the concert.
Also set to perform before the concert was abruptly halted were Andrea Bocelli, Carlos Santana, Jon Batiste, Kane Brown, LL Cool J, Elvis Costello, Earth, Wind & Fire and others.
Organized by Brooklyn-born music mogul Clive Davis, the concert was meant to celebrate New York City’s reopening after the pandemic, despite rising COVID cases nationwide.
NYC’s largest concert since the pandemic began in early 2020, the free ticketed show was only open to attendees over the age of 12 who provide proof of vaccination, and won’t be required to wear masks.
The massive crowd is seen during the concert before it was seemingly cancelled on Saturday because of the storm
Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, left, and Carlos Santana, right, performed during We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert on Saturday
Andrea Bocelli performs onstage with the New York Philharmonic during We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert Saturday
Mayor Bill de Blasio mask up for Saturday’s We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert in Central Park
On Saturday a sea of unmasked New Yorkers packed Central Park to watch a star-studded line up of performers as Henri is on the horizon
Models from the Czech meteorological company VentuSky show Henri developing into a hurricane before it passes over western Long Island before hitting Manhattan
Cuomo warns that Henri is ‘as serious as a heart attack’ and could be as devastating as Superstorm Sandy in parts of New York
The storm is set to make landfall in Long Island or southern New England late Saturday or early Sunday, with winds that could reach 80 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
People evacuated popular beach communities and made last-minute runs on batteries and gasoline as Henri churned closer, while officials pleaded with the millions of people in the storm´s path to brace themselves for torrential rain and storm surges.
Henri has sparked New York to declare a state of emergency as the Hamptons braced for a direct hit on Saturday.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for some residents closest to the water in Madison, Connecticut.
Henri was on course to collide Sunday in the late morning or afternoon with a long stretch of coastline, as storm warnings extended from near the old whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, across the luxurious oceanfront estates of New York´s Hamptons, to the summer getaway of Fire Island.
Intense winds and potentially dangerous tidal surges were expected as far east as Cape Cod and as far west as the New Jersey shore, and utilities warned ensuing power outages could last a week or even more. Governors urged people to stay home during the brunt of the storm.
Henri was veering a bit further west than originally expected, placing eastern Long Island in its bull’s-eye rather than New England. That gave people directly in the storm’s path less time to prepare.
A person with an umbrella stands in falling rain while looking toward New York City ahead of Tropical Storm Henri in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey
Surfers flock to the beach as wave heights elevate in advance of Henri on Saturday in Lido Beach, New York
Earlier today de Blasio announced NYC is under a Tropical Storm Warning and to expect strong winds and rain to begin late Saturday through Sunday
Residents and visitors on Fire Island, a narrow strip of sandy villages barely above sea level off Long Island´s southern coast, were urged to evacuate. The last boats out will leave at 10:40 p.m. Saturday; after that, officials said, there may be no way out for people who decide to ride out the storm.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo pleaded with New York residents to make last-minute preparations, warning that heavy rain, winds and storm surges from Henri could be as devastating as Superstorm Sandy in parts of the state.
The governor, who will leave office in two days following a sexual harassment scandal, warned that heavy rains were expected to create problems far up into the Hudson River Valley.
In a briefing on Saturday afternoon, Cuomo warned that Henri is ‘as serious as a heart attack’ and New York residents in parts of Long Island, particularly Fire Island, need to prepare to evacuate to higher ground as soon as possible.
More than 40million people are under storm threat
Huge clouds were seen over Manhattan on Friday as the Tropical Storm Henri expected to arrive in New York City
‘We have short notice. We´re talking about tomorrow,’ Cuomo said. ‘So if you have to move, if you have to stock up, if you have to get to higher ground, it has to be today. Please.’
The State of Emergency is in place for Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley and the Capital Region.
Cuomo said Henri is forecasted to make landfall 7am on Sunday with the eye of the storm passing over Long Island by 11am. The storm is expected to batter the state for 26 hours before it subsides around 2pm on Monday.
He added that there will be delays or cancellations to flights, and that passengers should check with their airlines to see if their travel plans were still on track. In Long Island, most train services will be suspended from midnight and the MTA is considering shutting down the Harlem line.
At least 500 National Guard troops will be deployed today, and the State Police will have 1,000 staff on duty.
Earlier on Saturday, de Blasio announced that New York City is under a Tropical Storm Warning and to expect strong winds and rain to begin late Saturday through Sunday.
‘Right now, from what we’re hearing, the real impacts are tomorrow but we want to start warning people now, we want you to make your plans the right way, to really minimize activity tomorrow to the maximum extent possible,’ de Blasio said during a Saturday press briefing.
‘Stay off the roads, stay indoors, there’s going to be heavy winds, a lot of rain, we could definitely be seeing some trees falling down, we need people to be safe so I’m telling you now so you can alter your plans, prepare your plans for tomorrow. Stay in, to the maximum extent possible.’
Connecticut braced for first direct hit from a hurricane in 30 years amid warnings that millions could be left without power for WEEKS
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for some residents closest to the water in Madison, Connecticut. First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons wrote in a public notice, that any ‘residents who do not leave the evacuation zone by 9 p.m. tonight are putting their lives at risk and public safety crews will not be able to respond to you once winds exceed 50 mph.’
Gov. Ned Lamont warned Connecticut residents they should prepare to ‘shelter in place’ from Sunday afternoon through at least Monday morning as the state braces for the first possible direct hit from a hurricane in decades.
New England has not taken a direct hit from a hurricane since Hurricane Bob in 1991.
In Rhode Island, Gov. Dan McKee similarly urged state residents stay at home Sunday and into Monday morning.
‘We consider this a serious matter,’ McKee said at a news conference.
Eversource, who provide power to 1.2 million customers in Connecticut, warned that between 50% and 69% their customers could lose power for between eight and 21 days, NBC reports.
‘We’ve been re-positioning crews, equipment and other resources accordingly so that we’re ready for the significant, widespread damage we can expect to see from this storm,’ said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom.
Sean Delvin speaks with Connecticut State Trooper Ollivierre about the mandatory evacuation as Henri approaches East Haven, Connecticut on Saturday
Rafael Roman boards up a client’s home as Henri approaches East Haven, Connecticut on Saturday
Erica Giglietti takes a selfie while filling sandbags for her home ahead of a mandatory evacuation as Henri approaches East Haven, Connecticut on Saturday
President Joe Biden participated in a phone call with northeastern governors, as well as FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, to discuss Henri’s anticipated landfall on Long Island and southern New England on Sunday.
According to a readout of the call, they discussed how governors are ‘working closely’ with FEMA and the National Guard to prepare to respond to impacts from the storm – including possible widespread power outages, coastal storm surges, and inland flooding.
Criswell said FEMA is positioning 700 response personnel and materials including meals, tarps, and generators, according to the readout.
‘Additionally, the President and other participants discussed the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the use of vaccines, masks, and social distancing if sheltering is required,’ according to the readout.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker expressed relief Saturday that the latest models suggest Henri won’t make a direct hit on the state.
But Baker and McKee at separate briefings warned that high winds and heavy rains still could lead to widespread and lengthy power outages.
Officials said Logan International Airport in Boston was expected to remain open, but that some flights likely would be canceled. And service on some branches of New York City’s commuter rail system will be suspended Sunday.
Celebrities in the Hamptons ‘hanging out on their yachts at the moment drinking martinis’ while locals board up homes ahead of storm
In the Hamptons, the celebrity playground on Long Island’s east end, officials warned of dangerous rip currents and flooding that’s likely to turn streets like the mansion-lined Dune Road into lagoons.
‘We have a lot of wealthy people. There’s no doubt that we do, but everybody pulls together in an emergency,’ Schneiderman said.
‘So, you know, yeah, there are people hanging out on their yachts at the moment drinking martinis, but they’re also starting to talk about this storm and I’m sure they’re going to want to be helpful.’
Former President Bill Clinton was seen at a charity softball game in the Hamptons while others were pictured boarding up their in advance of the impending tropical storm.
Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said the town was considering issuing a voluntary evacuation advisory for about 6,000 people. He said storm models showed that the storm’s center would run ‘smack on the town of Southampton.’
He described a run on supplies like batteries and flashlights as people ‘are starting to wake up.’
Former President Bill Clinton is pictured at The East Hampton Artists & Writers Annual Charity Softball Game ahead of the storm on Saturday
Former President Bill Clinton gives autographs at The East Hampton Artists & Writers Annual Charity Softball Game on Saturday
Former President Bill Clinton puts on his umpire t-shirt at The East Hampton Artists & Writers Annual Charity Softball Game
Former President Bill Clinton posing for a photograph with Mike Lupica, center, at The East Hampton Artists & Writers Annual Charity Softball Game
Former President Bill Clinton shakes hands with Lori Singer at The East Hampton Artists & Writers Annual Charity Softball Gam
Residents and visitors on Fire Island, a narrow strip of sandy villages barely above sea level off Long Island’s southern coast, were urged to evacuate. The last boats out will leave at 10:40 p.m. Saturday; after that, officials said, there may be no way out for people who decide to ride out the storm.
The evacuation threw a wrench into Kristen Pavese’s planned Fire Island bachelorette party. The group of 10 had intended to celebrate out on Saturday night, but ended up leaving on the ferry just a day after arriving. They had planned to stay until Monday.
‘I’m upset about it, but it’s the weather. It’s nothing I can control,’ said Pavese, a Long Island resident. ‘I’ve been going to Fire Island for a long time, so I’m sort of familiar with this happening.’
Boats sit in a parking lot as part of storm preparation on August 21, 2021 in Hampton Bays, New York
The group made alternate Saturday night plans at a Long Island winery, and Pavese said she was happy to still be with her friends.
New York hasn’t had a direct hit from a powerful cyclone since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc in 2012. Some of the most important repairs from that storm have been completed, but many projects designed to protect against future storms remain unfinished.
With a top wind speed of 75 mph Saturday, Henri sped up to move north-northeast at 18 mph as of Saturday evening. It’s still about 335 miles south of Montauk Point on Long Island.
Storm surge between 3 and 5 feet is possible from Flushing, New York, to Chatham, Massachusetts, and for parts of the North Shore and South Shore of Long Island, the hurricane center said. Rainfall between 3 to 6 inches is expected Sunday through Monday.
