The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a hurricane watch for the Northeast. Tropical Storm Henri’s winds are expected to strengthen to elevate it to Hurricane Henri by the time the cyclone reaches southern New England. The storm is expected to impact Long Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, including the Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island. Henri is gaining strength and, on a path, to make landfall by or before Sunday. New England residents can expect strong winds up to 75 mph, 2 to 5 inches of rainfall, and a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet into Monday.  Henri is expected to be a category 1 hurricane and his impact will be felt in the region through mid-week. New England’s last storm was 30 years ago when Hurricane Bob made landfall impacting the region for two weeks, costing 1.5 billion in damage, and killing 17 people. To keep you, your family, and friends safe here’s what you need to know:  1) Get your hurricane kit ready now (https://www.ready.gov/kit) and 2) Track the storms at the NHC website at this link  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

Be sure to check my BLOG next week for more information on the next tropical system because we are in the peak of the 2021 Hurricane Season.