Action Recommended
Attend to information sources as described in the instructions
Issued By
Boston – MA, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Southeast Middlesex County
Description
This product covers Southern New England
**HENRI IS FORECAST TO IMPACT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY AND MONDAY* NEW INFORMATION —————
CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – None
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Western Kent RI – A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Barnstable MA, Block Island RI, Bristol RI, Dukes MA, Eastern Kent RI, Nantucket MA, Newport RI, Southern Bristol MA, Southern Plymouth MA, and Washington RI
STORM INFORMATION: – About 770 miles south-southwest of Nantucket MA – 30.4N 73.7W – Storm Intensity 65 mph – Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 7 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW ——————
Tropical Storm Henri is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane by tomorrow morning as it heads northward today, and is expected to make landfall near Newport RI Sunday evening, as a strong Tropical Storm or possibly as a Category 1 hurricane. Henri will weaken rapidly after landfall but will exit the region slowly through Monday. The main hazards include damaging winds, flooding rain, and storm surge flooding.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS —————–
WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across south coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Potential impacts in this area include: – Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. – Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. – Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. – Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the rest of southern New England.
SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across south coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands. Potential impacts in this area include: – Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. – Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. – Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. – Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.
Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts along the eastern Massachusetts coastline, north of Sagamore Beach to the Merrimack River.
FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across southern New England. Potential impacts include: – Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches overflow. – Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ———————————-
EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: – For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov – For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org – For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE ———–
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton MA around 6PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.
