Tropical Storm Henri is nearing a landfall in southern New England and has already produced flooding rain in parts of the Northeast.
Henri center is located about 30 miles east-southeast of Montauk, New York. Despite weakening from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm Sunday morning, its impacts including flooding rain, strong winds and storm surge flooding are expected to be the same, regardless.
Henri has turned toward the north-northwest and its forward motion is slowing down, now under 15 mph. Rainbands continue to wrap into the Northeast, from Maryland and Delaware to New Hampshire.
Wind gusts from 50 to 65 mph have been clocked along the coast Sunday morning at Block Island and Narragansett, Rhode Island; and Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Great Gull Island off the eastern end of Long Island clocked a 72 mph gust.
Trees have been reported downed in parts of southern Rhode Island and southern Connecticut, and power outages are beginning to climb from New Jersey to Massachusetts, according to poweroutages.us.
However, the most serious impacts, so far, have been from rainfall flooding over 100 miles from the center of Henri.
Up to 9 inches of rain drenched parts of New Jersey Saturday night into Sunday morning, triggering major flooding in several areas.
In Middlesex County, numerous roads were closed and vehicles submerged. Homes were flooded with 3 feet of water in Cranbury and some residences and businesses were flooded in Milltown.
Heavy rain also triggered flooding in the New York City metro Saturday night, including in Brooklyn, Hoboken and Newark. Saturday night's deluge was the heaviest one-hour rainfall on record at New York's Central Park, where almost 2 inches of rain fell from 10-11 p.m, and over 4 inches of rain fell in total.
Rainfall and Flash Flood ReportsWatches and Warnings
Storm Surge Alerts
A storm surge warning has been issued for Long Island eastward from Mastic Beach to Montauk and from Flushing, New York to Montauk, as well as from Flushing, New York east to Chatham, Massachusetts, including Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Block Island. A storm surge warning is issued when there is a threat of life-threatening storm surge within the next 36 hours.
A storm surge watch has been issued from East Rockaway Beach to Mastic Beach and from Chatham, Massachusetts to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts. This watch is also in effect for Cape Cod Bay.
(MAPS: Track Henri Here)
Wind Alerts
A tropical storm warning has been issued from Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey, to Chatham Massachusetts, including Long Island, New York City, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Tropical storm conditions are expected the warning areas into tonight.
Forecast Track, Intensity
Henri has turned toward the north-northwest and its forward speed should continue to slow as Henri reaches New England.
Henri's forward progress is slowing down on approach to New England because of blocking high pressure to its north over Quebec.
Henri's circulation center is likely to move within the forecast path shown below. Impacts will spread well beyond this cone.
Some weakening is possible ahead of landfall because the system is encountering cooler waters and some increased wind shear.
Current Status, Forecast PathPotential Impacts
Storm Surge
Tides will also be running higher than normal this weekend due to the full moon, which could worsen the impact of any storm surge flooding. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide could cause the water to reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
-Flushing, New York, to Chatham, Massachusetts, including Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound: 3 to 5 feet
-The north shore of Long Island from Flushing to Montauk Point and for the south shore of Long Island from Mastic Beach to Montauk Point: 3-5 feet
-Chatham, Massachusetts eastward to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, including Cape Cod Bay: 2-4 feet
-East Rockaway Inlet, New York, to Mastic Beach, New York: 2 to 4 feet
-Cape May, New Jersey, to East Rockaway Inlet, New York: 1 to 3 feet.
-Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts to the Merrimack River, including Massachusetts Bay: 1 to 3 feet
Wind
Tropical-storm-force winds will continue to spread into southern New England Sunday morning and will persist into Sunday night.
Wind Gust ForecastThe strongest winds will likely be focused along and east of the track of Henri's center.
Keep in mind that impacts can occur quite a distance away from where the actual center of Henri tracks.
Probability of Tropical Storm Force WindsWidespread power outages are possible from the New York City area to southern New England.
Rainfall
Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches, are expected over Long Island, New England, southeastern New York, New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania into Monday. Heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding and small stream flooding.
Much of this region has experienced a very wet summer and recently received heavy rainfall from the remnant of Fred, meaning flooding is a significant threat.
The heaviest rain from Henri is expected to be along and west of its track.
Excessive Rainfall OutlookTornadoes
A tornado or two may occur Sunday over southern New England.
Tornado ThreatHigh Surf, Rip Currents
Increased swells are expected along the East Coast into Monday.
High surf and life-threatening rip currents could impact beaches along the East Coast into Monday.
Forecast Wave HeightsThe Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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