Henri made landfall in Rhode Island Sunday afternoon, and caused damage and destruction in Long Island and other areas of New York and New England. Photos and videos from the scene show the wreckage from the storm, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm.
The tropical storm “skimmed the tip of Long Island” as it made landfall in Rhode Island, near Westerly, at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, August 22, 2021, according to the New York Post. Gusts reached 70 miles per hour as it passed over eastern Long Island, just shy of reaching hurricane status, the National Hurricane Center reported. Still, the destruction is probably far from over, a meteorologist told the Post.
“It will wreak havoc across southern New England as it moves ashore,” senior Accuweather meteorologist Tom Kines told The Post.
Here’s what you need to know:
Continued Flooding, Toppled Trees & Power Outages May Last for Days
GettyMembers of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company assist Doug, a neighborhood resident, during an evacuation effort following a flash flood, as Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on August 22, 2021.
Kines told the New York Post it is “probably a good bet” downed trees and power outages will last for days.
“When the winds are that strong, you’re breaking tree branches and knocking trees down and the power lines as well,” Kines told the Post. “If you’re outside in those winds, it’s extremely difficult to hold your ground.”
On John Street in Helmetta, where the whole neighborhood is being evacuated with high water trucks and boats
The National Hurricane Center reported that while Tropical Storm Henri slowed down over Rhode Island, “strong, gusty winds and flooding rainfall continue” in the area as of 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Kines told the Post wind gusts in New York City could near 40 to 45 mph, but that heavy rainfall will likely be a bigger threat, potentially causing additional flooding to roads and subway stations. The heavy rainfall comes after the area received 4 to 5 inches of rain Saturday night, and an additional 2 inches is expected, Kines told the Post.
GettyA submerged Cadillac sedan is seen on a residential street following a flash flood, as Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on August 22, 2021.
There could be heavier rainfall in “pockets” of the tri-state area, with 3 to 6 inches of rain forecast in some areas of Long Island, southeastern New York and New Jersey, according to the Post.
‘The Worst Is Yet to Come,’ Nassau County Executive Laura Curran Said in a Press Briefing
Scenes from a cab in a hurricane #Henri 1/2
Officials urged that those in impact areas to remain home and off the roads, even as the storm appears to subside.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said in a press briefing that residents should stay off the roads, according to the New York Post.
Hurricane Henri is a symptom of the larger problem of climate change. As extreme weather becomes more common, New Yorkers need an upgraded MTA & sewage system that can handle severe flooding.
Who should pay the price for this upgrade? Wall street, the developers & the banks.
“The worst of the storm is yet to come. It may seem fine now, just a normal rainstorm, but winds will pick up,” she said.
“So if you can stay out of the rain and inside please do, so that our crews, our first responders get where they need to go to help people,” she added.
“Your best bet is to stay put and wait it out,” Kines told the publication.
A man gets knocked over by the wind while trying to take pictures of #Henri in Narragansett, RI. #wcvb Video by: @Bobbynewsphotog
David Bienick of WCVB in Boston, Massachusetts shared a photo from Bobby Souza of a man being slammed onto pavement by a gust of wind.
“A man gets knocked over by the wind while trying to take pictures of #Henri in Narragansett, RI,” he wrote.
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