After pelting New York City Saturday night with heavy rain from its feeder bands, Tropical Storm Henri [1] — which lost its hurricane status early Sunday morning — is currently drenching much of New York City and Long Island as it nears landfall in New England.
As of 11 a.m. Aug. 22, the center of Henri's circulation sat about 15 miles east of Montauk Point, with top winds of 60 mph — a sign of weakening as it moves to the north-northwest at 16 mph. The storm is now due to make landfall near the Connecticut/Rhode Island border, sparing Long Island the worst of its brunt.
For New York City, Henri is a major rainmaker. Heavy bands of rain are moving in from the east and are expected to continue through much of the day Sunday as the storm system moves ashore and begins crawling over Connecticut.
The National Weather Service cancelled its tropical storm warning for New York City, though a storm surge warning remains in effect for areas of Flushing, Queens and east. Surf on the Long Island Sound is expected to be between 2 to 4 feet higher than normal due to Henri.
Rip currents are still expected along other parts of the city's coast; all New York City beaches are closed Sunday due to the approaching storm.
[caption id="attachment_137548400" align="alignnone" width="897"] The track of Henri, as of 11 a.m. Aug. 22.Courtesy National Weather Service[/caption]
On Saturday night, Henri brought record-setting rainfall to the Five Boroughs, with parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island getting particularly drenched. Central Park recorded 4.45 inches of rainfall as of 1 a.m. Aug. 22, with 1.69 inches of rain coming between 10 and 11 p.m. on Aug. 21 — an all-time record for a single hour of rainfall.
The heavy rain and lightning from Henri's feeder bands forced the confusing cancellation of the We Love NYC concert on Central Park's Great Lawn [2].
During a briefing Sunday morning, outgoing Governor Andrew Cuomo reported that 2 1/2 inches of additional rain is expected in the New York City area. Much higher rainfall amounts, up to 5 inches or more, are expected north of the city in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley as Henri churns through New England Sunday into Monday.
"That is a significant amount of rainfall and it should be taken seriously," Cuomo said, comparing the situation to one the northern suburbs faced a decade ago from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. "You have hills, you have creeks, the water comes running down those hills, hits what was a creek and turns it into a ravaging river."
Mayor Bill de Blasio prognosticated between 2 and 4 additional inches of rain across the Five Boroughs. He urged New Yorkers to stay home Sunday, if possible, and to use public transit if they must travel.
https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1429458095470751745
[caption id="attachment_137548401" align="alignnone" width="892"] Projected rainfall totals related to Tropical Storm Henri.Courtesy National Weather Service[/caption]
In advance of the storm, Mayor Bill de Blasio and outgoing Governor Andrew Cuomo declared states of emergency, mobilizing resources to prepare for the advancing system. On Sunday, President Joe Biden approved the disaster declaration request Cuomo sent on Sunday, mobilizing the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to coordinate a response to the storm and reimburse the state for 75% of all preparation costs.
Cuomo said the state has mobilized 500 National Guard members and 1,000 state police officers to respond to storm-related emergencies. More than 500 pieces of rescue equipment have also been moved downstate from Buffalo.
The MTA cancelled Long Island Rail Road service to the east end of Long Island, which is expected to bear the brunt of Henri.
"On Sunday, Aug. 22, passenger train service will not resume until we have checked our infrastructure and determined that it is safe to do so," the MTA reported.
Dozens of flights to and from New York City airports are delayed and/or cancelled due to the storm. Check with your airline carrier before heading out to the airport.
Check with amNY.com later for further developments on Tropical Storm Henri.
[1] https://www.amny.com/weather/henri-set-to-deliver-nyc-storm-surge-heavy-rain-wind/
[2] https://www.amny.com/news/summer-bummer-we-love-nyc-concert-in-the-great-lawn-washed-out/
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