Trains were canceled and flights landed in the New York region on Saturday as Hurricane Henri headed toward the east coast.
MTA officials said commuter rail trains on New Haven Lane and the Wassaic branch would be out of service on Sunday, along with Long Island Rail Road on the Montau branch and to and from Greenport.
“Hurricane Henri’s projected trajectory shows that the most significant potential impacts will be for Metro-North customers in Connecticut, but current forecasts predict tropical storm winds across our territory,” the Metro- president said. North, Catherine Rinaldi, in a statement while advising New Yorkers. throughout the region to avoid public transportation.
“The Metro-North territory is particularly vulnerable to strong winds due to trees and power lines,” Rinaldi said. “Customers on the Harlem and Hudson line should avoid unnecessary travel.”
Amtrak also suspended service in both directions on Sunday on the northeast corridor between New York and Boston and between Springfield, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut, where the storm is expected to be strongest.
Meanwhile, airports in the New York area had seen at least 280 flight cancellations for Sunday as of 8pm on Saturday, The Port Authority said on Twitter.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who declared a state of emergency, urged motorists to avoid travel or plan difficult roads.
“Those who may stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rains can cause potential flooding in low-lying areas across the city,” the mayor said in a briefing on Saturday at the late.
“If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on the headlights, drive slowly and be careful and do not drive in flooded areas.”
The storm is expected to make landfall east of Long Island on Sunday, with winds that could exceed 73 miles per hour.
The mayor said the storm could knock down some trees and likely cause power outages. Con Edison advised customers to load their devices in preparation.