Henri could still cause flooding in Wantagh, Seaford

Posted

As of 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, rain continued to fall in Seaford and Wantagh, with the communities feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Henri.

Henri, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm early Sunday morning, touched down on Long Island Sunday. It brought heavy rain and 25 to 35 mph winds across eastern Long Island, conditions that were expected to worsen and spread westward as the day wears on, according to the National Weather Service.  A tropical storm warning remains in effect in Wantagh and Seaford.

The storm was roughly 50 miles southeast of Montauk Point early Sunday Morning, according to the National Weather Service. Winds are expected from 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph on Nassau’s South Shore.

Kevin Regan, Public Information Officer with the Wantagh Fire Department, stated in an email Sunday afternoon that firefighters and medics are on stand-by, typical procedure for any major storm event. They have not yet responded to any storm-related incidents. 
   
 The National Weather Service reports that a flood watch remains in effect with an additional 2-4 inches of rain expected.

"Though Tropical Storm Henri moved further east, we are urging residents not to let their guard down and to continue being vigilant as heavy rain, winds and flooding are in the forecast today into Monday," Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said. "The Town of Hempstead's Storm Response Team remains mobilized and ready to respond to downed trees and other hazardous conditions along the town's 1,200 miles of roadways."

Given the potential intensity of the storm, some power outages may last up to seven to 10 days, PSEG Long Island officials said Saturday. "We continue to monitor the track of Tropical Storm Henri," PSEG Long Island senior director of transmission and Distribution Michael Sullivan said. "As the storm makes its way up the coast, employees are preparing for the possibility of high winds that can cause flying debris and bring down trees and power lines. We encourage our customers to do the same at their homes and businesses."

In response, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat from Baldwin, said, “Potential seven- to 10-day power outages are unacceptable. While we are all hoping for the best outcome this weekend, PSEG must call in additional crews who are prepared to respond to our residents' outages.”

Town of Hempstead officials started preparing for Henri at its South Shore marinas early Friday morning,  Clavin said. Jones Beach State Park was closed to the public as of Saturday afternoon due to the storm.