Post-Tropical Cyclone Henri expected to impact Northeast Monday: LIVE UPDATES

The slow-moving tropical depression Henri is expected to continue bringing heavy rain and flood across portions of Southern New England and the Northern Mid-Atlantic states on Monday, forecasters said. 

The storm was beginning to turn east and moving at a speed of 6 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. update. 

Flood watches were still in effect across northeast Pennsylvania, southeast New York, northeast New Jersey, Long Island, and portions of New England, the agency said. 

Rainfall of up to 2 inches was expected to fall in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, while up to 3 inches was expected in southeast New York, Long Island, and southern to central New England through tonight.

Tropical Storm Henri packed a punch for the Northeast on Sunday and resulted in power outages across Rhode Island and flooding in nearby states, but the region was largely spared the worst-case scenario.

The storm is considered to be slow-moving and expected to impact the region throughout Monday, the Providence Journal reported. There were about 76,000 National Grid customers in the state without power as of Sunday afternoon, the paper reported. The report pointed out that the state was largely spared the worst possible outcome after it was downgraded from a hurricane prior to reaching the state’s coast.

When it made landfall near Westerly, Rhode Island, Henri had sustained winds of about 60 mph and gusts of up to 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. By late Sunday, Henri had sustained winds of about 30 mph as it moved across Connecticut toward the New York state line.

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President Biden on Sunday said he has approved emergency declarations for Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York as they address the damage brought by Tropical Storm Henri.

The emergency declarations activate funds and gives the federal government more leeway to intervene.

“We don’t know the full extent of the storm’s impact today. But we’re acting to prepare for and prevent damage as much as possible and to speed help to affected communities so they can recover as quickly as possible. 

President Biden on Sunday urged governors in states impacted by Tropical Storm Henri to take advantage assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

He said FEMA has “pre-positioned resources” to speed up the administration’s ability to respond including food, water, life-saving communications equipment, and generators. 

“Thousands of additional line crews and vegetation-clearing crews from other states and Canada are already heading toward the impacted states … ready to move in as soon as feasible,” Biden said. 

President Biden on Sunday said Tropical Storm Henri, despite being downgraded, has the potential for “widespread consequences” across the New England region with “significant flooding and power outages that could affect hundreds of thousands of people.” 

Members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company assist Doug, a neighborhood resident, during a flash flood as Tropical Strom Henri makes landfall in Helmetta, N.J.

Tropical Strom Henri slammed into Rhode Island early Sunday afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of Americans, canceling flights and bringing record rainfall.

The storm – downgraded from a Category 1 Hurricane – hit land near the town of Westerly around 12:15 p.m. EST, the National Weather Service said.

Henri is a rare tropical storm to hit America’s Northeastern seaboard and comes as the surface layer of oceans warms because of climate change. 

Tropical Storm Henri made landfall Sunday afternoon near Westerly, Rhode Island, the National Hurricane Center said.

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. A dangerous storm surge, strong gusty winds and flooding rainfall are expected across portions of northeastern United States, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. 

National Hurricane Center 10 a.m. UPDATE: Tropical storm conditions occurring over portions of southern New England and eastern Long Island

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, delivering a press conference on his last day of office amid a sexual harassment scandal, said Tropical Storm Henri is expected to hit Long Island at about 11 a.m. ET, west of Montauk. He said 500 National Guard troops, 1000 New York State Police and 500 pieces of equipment have been deployed as part of preparatory measures.

There is flooding along the south shore of Long Island, as crews are building up the sand dunes to protect areas including Long Beach. President Biden approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration, meaning preparatory work will be subject to federal reimbursement.

Cuomo said Biden "is a good soul" who always "does the right thing."

The center of the storm is about 35 miles southeast of Montauk Point, New York

National Hurricane Center 8 a.m. ET: Center of Henri moving closer to eastern Long Island and southern New England. Dangerous storm surge, strong gusty winds, and flooding rainfall are expected in portions of the northeastern United States.

As of 7 a.m. ET, Block Island, Rhode Island was sustaining winds of 39 mph and a gust to 49 mph. Narragansett, Rhode Island was sustaining winds of 40 mph and a gust to 52 mph. Tropical Storm Henri was located about 50 miles southeast of Montauk Point, New York. 

Henri was downgraded to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center indicated in its 7 a.m. ET update.