(Updated: 6:44 am) A hurricane watch is now in effect for Suffolk County.
Tropical Storm Henri is forecast to be near the Northeast coast on Sunday and Monday.
The storm, now located off the Carolina coast, 750 miles south of Montauk Point, is producing sustained winds of 65 mph with gusts up to 100 mph, according to a National Hurricane Center bulletin issued at 5 a.m.
Henri is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph. A turn toward the northwest is forecast later today, followed by a turn toward the north tonight, according to the National Hurricane Center. Henri is forecast to accelerate toward the north and track near eastern Long Island and into southern New England on Sunday.
There is still uncertainty about the track, size and intensity of this storm as it approaches the northeast. Tropical storm force winds and inundation in surge-prone areas are possible within the watch area, the National Hurricane Center said.
“The main threats from Henri are heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding, tropical storm force winds along the south shore and east end of Long Island and across southeast Connecticut, and associated marine and coastal hazards, including very rough seas and dangerous rip currents,” the National Hurricane Center said in the bulletin.
“A widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is forecast with the potential of 2 to 4 inches locally higher amounts are possible Saturday through Sunday evening. The highest amounts are forecast to be across eastern Long Island and much of southeastern Connecticut. This will present a likelihood for scattered areas of flash flooding, particularly for areas that could see heavy rain Saturday leading into Sunday,” according to the bulletin.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, which currently extends east from Port Jefferson/Fire Island Inlet.
A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous, the weather service said.
A storm surge watch has been issued for the south shore of Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet eastward to Montauk, the north shore of Long Island from Kings Point eastward to Montauk, and from Kings Point eastward to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Block Island.
A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at the National Hurricane Center website.
Residents and businesses should prepare for the storm by stowing or securing outdoor objects National Weather Service advisory
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