As Henri slams the tri-state with rain and wind, be prepared to deal with closures and changes regarding travel, as well as multiple scheduled events that have been canceled or postponed in order to keep people safe.
While the storm largely impacted roadways in north and central New Jersey and New York's Westchester County (leaving many people stranded and residents had to be evacuated), the damage was seen all over the region.
Emergency vehicles blocked part of the Rye Playland Parkway, while the Hutchinson River Parkway, Taconic State Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, along with Routes 100 and 119 were all closed at different points and times in Westchester County Sunday due to flooding.
Part of the Bronx River Parkway in Bronxville was shut down Sunday night, as the roadway was completely submerged underwater, making it impassable and dangerous. The water was so high at one point, it nearly touched the clearance signs at the top of an overpass arch. It's unclear when the roadways there or another closure at Yonkers Avenue and Bronx River Road will reopen.
Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.
Further south, Saw Mill River Parkway was closed between Lawrence Street and Farragut Parkway, as well as in between Executive Boulevard and Hearst Street.
Even the Whitestone Bridge was shut down for a time in the eastbound lanes, causing traffic to build up during the storm. Sections of multiple routes in Rockland County (Route 59) and Orange County (Route 32, Route 218 and Route 518) were also closed into Sunday evening.
News
Across New York City, the Office of Emergency Management had urged residents to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and localized coastal flooding as early as Saturday evening — just before the city saw its rainiest hour in 150+ years of recorded history. The city also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, if possible, issuing a travel advisory.
Videos from across the city showed flooded streets, including Tuskegee Airmen Way in Queens that was closed due to the water buildup. In Brooklyn, Parkside Avenue was flooded between Coney Island Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
Interim NYC Transit President Craig Cipriano pleaded with New Yorkers to "stay home if you can" as Henri's wrath descended, flooding train tracks, streets and subways overnight. The possibility of intense winds could only make things worse.
Following weekend cancellations in service, the MTA said on Sunday that Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North would resume regular weekday service on Monday, with LIRR adding extra service on its Montauk branch to accommodate customers disrupted by the storm
Amtrak announced northeast service between New York and Boston was canceled for Sunday. NY Waterway announced that ferries will operate on a normally weekday schedule on Monday.
Commuter Alert: Get real-time transit updates as the tri-state braces for Henri
Other steps were being taken to ensure that the city's buses and subways are also prepared, including inspecting track pumps and drains to make sure they are working.
Due to the heavy winds forecasted, MTA Bridges and Tunnels enacted a soft ban of empty and/or tandem tractor trailers from 11 p.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Sunday.
Check the latest severe weather alerts for your neighborhood here.
City beaches will be closed to swimming on Sunday and Monday, the NYC Parks Department said, due to the dangerous conditions and rip current threat. Mayor Bill de Blasio postponed the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour that was scheduled to take place Sunday. It was rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 29. The Yankees vs. Twins game scheduled for Sunday in the Bronx was also rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 13.
The city's Homecoming Concert in Central Park planned for Saturday evening initially started as planned, but was quickly called off before 8 p.m. as storms rolled in. Madison Square Garden, meanwhile, has postponed Sunday's Eagles performance for Wednesday.
All New York state parks south of interstate 84 were ordered to be closed until 12 p.m. Monday, the state announced.
In New Jersey, officials in some cities were urging drivers to not attempt to go through flooded streets. The Newark Department of Public Safety said it had to rescue 86 people in 11 incidents related to the storms, most of which involved vehicles submerged in water.
Multiple roads in New Jersey were impacted by the storm, but not all by flooding. one lane of the Garden State Parkway was blocked after a tree fell in Bergen County, while multiple trees were downed across the Hamburg Turnpike in Passaic County.
Route 22 westbound lanes were also closed to flooding. The flash flood came so fast in Helmetta, New Jersey, that residents were caught off guard have to be rescued from their homes. The water has started to recede Monday but debris still blocked much of the roads.
In Connecticut — where the storm is expected to cross from southeast to northwest — Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency ahead of the arrival of Henri, including activating the Connecticut National Guard.
Lamont also implemented travel ban on I-95 for all empty tractor trailers, tandem tractor trailers, and motorcycles beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday until 5 p.m.
Eversource and United Illuminating both said they were preparing for potential impacts to Connecticut from the storm. Eversource's president and CEO, Joe Nolan, said the company is now classifying the storm as a Level 3 event meaning up to 49 percent of its customers could be without power for up to 10 days.
"We’ve just now declared a Level 3, you need to be prepared for a loss of power for up to five to 10 days in a Level 3," Nolan said. "This will be a very significant storm."
