Topline
Henri was reduced from a hurricane early Sunday to a tropical storm as it made landfall in the Northeast. However, the National Hurricane Center warns that the storm will still bring severe storm surge, flooding and heavy rain to New England, New York, and New Jersey.
After the concert was cancelled by storms, We Love NYC: The HOMEcoming Concert attendees leave Central Park's Hurricane Henri on August 21st in New York City. Getty Images
The Key Facts
The entire coast from Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey to Chatham, Massachusetts is under a Tropical Storm Warning. This includes Long Island and New York City as well as Block Island, Rhode Island, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts. However, a previous hurricane warning has been cancelled for some of these areas. Henri has a maximum sustained wind speed of 65 mph and is expected make landfall in Long Island or Southern New England as a strong tropical hurricane, according to the NHC. Tropical storm conditions will continue through tonight. The NHC has issued a storm surge warning from New York to Massachusetts. This means that there is the possibility of severe flooding in most areas. Henri is expected to bring about three to six inches of rainfall in most areas by Monday. However, isolated amounts of up to 10 inches may be possible. There could also be significant flooding. NHC projects warn that tornadoes could occur in southern New England on Sunday.
What to Watch
Henri will make landfall once it has made landfall. However, the NHC warns that Henri's rapid weakening may occur as soon as it reaches land. Henri is currently projected to travel north through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont through Monday morning before turning east towards Maine on Tuesday.
Important Quote
Do not ignore this storm because it was downgraded from a tropical storm. The expected impacts are the same, the National Weather Service in Boston tweeted Sunday morning.
Important Background
Henri already caused significant flooding in areas, including New Jersey and New York City, as it approached the region Saturday night. It also forced the cancellation of the star-studded Homecoming Concert at Central Park mid-show. Residents along the Northeast coast were told to evacuate ahead of Henri hitting. This included Fire Island, New York, and the Connecticut coastline. Governors from Connecticut and Rhode Island urged residents to stay put as Henri approaches. According to the Associated Press, some areas are also running out of gasoline due to drivers preparing for the storm. This has led to the closure of commuter rail services and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
Surprising Fact
New England was spared by Hurricane Henris's downgrading from a hurricane into a tropical storm. This would have been the first direct hurricane in its 30 year history.
Tangent
New York's storm response has made Gov. Andrew Cuomo was back in the spotlight before he left office. At a press conference on Saturday, the governor spoke about storm preparations in the state. He will be leaving office at early next week. Kathy Hochul will take care of Henris aftermath after she is sworn in to office.
Continue reading
Henri becomes a tropical storm before Northeast landfall (Associated Press).
New York Times: Long Island and New England Prepared for Rare Hurricane Strike
Henri becomes a hurricane as it nears historic New England landfall (Forbes).
