Henri has been downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression as heavy rains pass through Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Henri, who made landfall in Rhode Island around 12:15 p.m., was expected to land with a hurricane force. However, it went through a tropical storm before reaching New England, to the relief of many.
If the storm had maintained the strength of the hurricanes in making landfall, it would have been the first hurricane to hit New England directly in 30 years, NPR reported.
However, officials have been prepared for heavy rainfall, flooding and energy loss. About 200 residents in Helmetta, New Jersey, saw their homes begin to flood, forcing people to stay with relatives or go to a hotel, the Associated Press reported.
On Sunday, some bridges in Rhode Island were closed briefly while other roads were difficult to cross. A coastal flood warning was issued in Boston until Monday, while a sea wave was forecast for Sunday, the cabling service noted.
In addition, more than 130,000 homes were without electricity due to strong storm winds.
Speaking to reporters at the Roosevelt Hall on Sunday, President Biden
Joe BidenHenri went into tropical depression when it rains in northeastern Britain to urge G7 leaders to consider adopting sanctions against the Taliban – report five lawmakers who will have to monitor the House’s budget vote MORE he said there were plans to help New England as states prepared for possible damage to the area.
“I’ve already passed emergency statements for Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, which activate the funds and it means we can: we can get in there and help ourselves as soon as this extreme weather has passed,” Biden said.
“FEMA has previously positioned resources in the region to accelerate our responsiveness, including food, water and life-saving communications equipment, as well as generators,” Biden noted. “In close cooperation with the electrical sector, they are preparing to solve important electrical interruptions. And resources and support are organized on the brink of this storm so we can get in quickly to help. ”