Henri In The Hudson Valley: Heavy Rains, Flash Floods

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Tropical Storm Henri is bringing heavy rain to much of the lower tri-state area as it passes to the east of the Hudson Valley, expected to make landfall in eastern Connecticut.

SEE: Henri Downgraded To Tropical Storm; East End Of LI 'May Dodge A Bullet'

Prospect Park in Brooklyn saw 5.24 inches of rain in three hours and Route 17 was closed in northern New Jersey due to flash flooding — and that kind of downpour is headed to the lower Hudson Valley, according to Sunday morning forecasts.

Flood watches are in effect for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties until 8 p.m. Monday.

Southern Westchester is under a tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning as well.

A widespread rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is possible for the Lower Hudson Valley, the National Weather Service said. Localized higher amounts will be possible through Monday evening. For Dutchess and Ulster, widespread rainfall of 2 to 6 inches is expected, though localized rainfall amounts up to 6 to 10 inches are possible, especially over the higher terrain areas of the eastern Catskills.

Rain bands will begin to move further inland and overspread the area from southeast to northwest, the National Weather Service said. Rainfall rates exceeding 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible at times.

Henri was reported just 40 miles south-southeast of Montauk Point at 8 a.m. with sustained winds of 70 mph, so the hurricane warning for eastern Long Island was downgraded back to a tropical storm warning.

The Sound Shore of Westchester County is affected by a storm surge warning for the north shore of Long Island from Montauk Point to Flushing.

What's most important to the Hudson Valley is that Henri is expected to slow down and turn back toward the north after making landfall in Connecticut.

With isolated totals near 10 inches, heavy rainfall from Henri could result in flash, urban, and small stream flooding, along with the potential for widespread minor to isolated moderate river flooding. Particularly in southern Westchester, the threats include:

• Rivers and streams may rapidly overflow their banks and small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous.
• Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged.
• Driving conditions become dangerous.
• Road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

SEE: Metro-North Suspends New Haven Line, Wassaic Branch

The wind threat has diminished for most of the Hudson Valley. However, southern Westchester could see winds 39 to 57 mph, bringing limited chances for damage including large tree limbs broken off, a few trees snapped or uprooted, and a few roads impassable from debris.

SEE ALSO:

• As Henri Creeps On Long Island Barney The Bull Is Still Out There
• Hurricane Warning Downgraded, But Major Threats Remain For LI
• Cuomo Declares Emergency Due To Approaching Hurricane