The storm poses a serious flooding danger for millions of people across the region’s major metropolitan areas
Henri continues to gradually weaken and slow down as it moves inland
From CNN’s Jackson Dill
Tropical Storm Henri is now a 50 mph tropical storm located over Rhode Island, according to the 2 p.m. ET update from the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical storm-force winds currently span up to 125 miles away from the center of the storm.
As forecast, the storm’s forward speed is beginning to slow, now moving northwest at 9 mph.
“On the forecast track, Henri is expected to slow down further and possibly stall near the Connecticut-New York border tonight, with an east-northeastward motion across northern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts expected on Monday,” says the NHC.
This will worsen the flood threat associated with the heavy rains falling from this storm, including the flash flood warnings currently in effect for parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The storm surge threat is subsiding now and the NHC has canceled all storm surge warnings. A tropical storm warning remains in effect from East Rockaway Inlet, New York through Chatham, Massachusetts, including Long Island, Block Island, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Connecticut governor urges residents to not get complacent as Henri moves ashore as a tropical storm
From CNN’s Kay Jones
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Sunday afternoon that residents should not get complacent even though Tropical Storm Henri is not hitting as a hurricane.
During a news briefing Sunday afternoon, Lamont said that most of the power outages right now are in the southeastern part of the state. He said they will be tracking the storm as it moves further inland and urged caution.
Twice as many crews are available to help with power restoration than ever before, he said. The state is expecting to see temperatures above 90 degrees this week, and he said they will restore power as soon as possible.
Lamont said the biggest concern right now is flooding from the amount of rain received so far. Warnings will be issued for localized flooding as the storm moves inland, David Manning with the National Weather Service said.
Manning said he talked with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamontearlier today and that they will work together on recovery and response efforts.
Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall
From CNN’s Dave Hennen
Tropical Storm Henri has made landfall along the coast of Rhode Island near Westerly, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm had winds of 60 mph, with higher gusts.
Weakening is expected today as the storm pushes further inland, but tropical storm-force winds will continue to cause power outages through much of southern New England this afternoon and tonight.
Heavy rain will continue to produce the potential for flooding from New Jersey to New England through Tuesday.
More than 100,000 people will lose power in Rhode Island as Henri moves through state, governor says
From CNN’s Gregory Lemos
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said Sunday he expects more than 100,000 people will lose power as Tropical Storm Henri slams into the state.
“We’re very concerned about the impact that the storm is having on us,” McKee told CNN on Sunday.
McKee said the state is prepared, thanks in part to President Joe Biden’s willingness to sign an emergency declaration ahead of the storm making landfall.
McKee said there are more than 200 power restoration trucks on the ground with more help coming from out of state.
The governor expressed concern that temperatures in the state will be in the 90s through Thursday.
“If we are without electricity you know what that means in terms of the health and economy relative to the, you know, our seniors and those in our business community,” he said.
Strong winds and waves spotted in Rhode Island
From CNN’s Amanda Jackson
Cindy Laughlin captured a video showing big waves and strong winds from Tropical Storm Henri impacting Narragansett, Rhode Island, on Sunday.
Laughlin told CNN the power has been on and off as the storm approached.
“The nerve-wracking thing is seeing pieces of shingles and a gutter flying around,” she said.
When asked if the debris was coming from her home, Laughlin said she couldn’t “quite tell which house it’s coming from and one of my neighbors scolded me for trying to survey damage in the midst of the storm.”
Watch the video:
At least 69,000 customers without power in Rhode Island and Connecticut as Henri slams into New England
From CNN’s Gregory Lemos
There are at least 69,000 customers without power in Rhode Island and Connecticut as tropical storm Henri hits the coast of New England.
According to poweroutage.com, 58,709 customers are without power in Rhode Island and 10,890 in Connecticut.
Customers in New Jersey, New York, and Maine are also experiencing outages as well.
Rainband from Henri stalling over New York City area
From CNN’s Jackson Dill
An outer rain band is pivoting into the New York City area from Tropical Storm Henri but is starting to stall, increasing the risk for flooding today.
Computer model forecasts and radar trends suggest this rainband will remain nearly stationary. Much of this rain is expected to be at moderate intensity, but there will be some heavier pockets of rain, which could lead to a nearly an inch per hour rainfall rate. Heavy rain falling in a short period of time in urban areas often leads to flash flooding.
The National Weather Service office in New York issued a flood watch until 8 p.m. ET Monday. A rainfall total of 3 to 5 inches is currently forecast for the New York City area today as Henri moves onshore into southern New England.
In southeastern Connecticut, there is now a flash flood warning in effect until 12:45 p.m. ET, including New London and Groton, as the center of the storm, along with its very heavy rain, approaches the coast.
Center of Henri is passing close to Block Island, Rhode Island
A dangerous storm surge, gusty winds, and flooding are expected across portions of the northeast as the center of Tropical Storm Henri passes over Block Island, Rhode Island, according to the 11 a.m. ET update from the National Weather Service.
“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,” the update said.
Video from Rhode Island:
Rhode Island is bracing for heavy impacts from Henri in next few hours, governor says
From CNN’s Gregory Lemos
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said Sunday the state is bracing for “heavy impacts of high wind, loss of power, and flooding” from Tropical Storm Henri in the next 1-2 hours.
“I’m asking you, Rhode Island, to say home until this storm passes. You are not only putting your own life at risk but you are endangering our first responders,” McKee said during a news conference.
As resources from other states continue to pour in, McKee said he has ordered a ban on state roadways for motorcycles and tractor-trailers, except those carrying emergency supplies.
The governor said he is limiting access to a number of the state’s bridges as well. McKee said “any vehicle that cannot, in the opinion of law enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge” will be asked to turn around.
The state is experiencing more than 8,000 power outages and expects extended outages throughout the day, a concern McKee said he has shared with President Joe Biden and with the national grid.
McKee said Biden promised additional utility workers “to help us get residents and businesses connected back to power as soon as possible.”
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_topstories/~3/-PzTz3g1DUc/index.html
