Hurricane Henri Targets Long Island, New England States

Forecasters on Saturday warned of intense winds and dangerous tidal surges as far east as Cape Cod and as far west as the Jersey shore as Hurricane Henri made its way toward the Northeast United States.

On Saturday morning, Henri was located about 465 miles south of Montauk on New York’s Long Island. With top winds at 75 mph, Henri was moving north-northeast at 14 mph.

The hurricane, upgraded from a tropical storm Saturday, will likely impact a large swath of the Northeast, extending inland to Hartford, Connecticut, and Albany, New York, The Associated Press reported.

In the storm's crosshairs is Long Island, which hasn't seen a direct hit from a hurricane since Hurricane Gloria in 1985.

Here's a look at what several areas in the Northeast are bracing for ahead of Henri's imminent arrival:

Long Island

The latest track puts Henri on a path to make landfall on the East End between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, somewhere between Westhampton and Amagansett. Life-threatening storm surge flooding of up to 5 feet above ground is possible on parts of the island, especially on the East End which could see wind gusts up 100 mph.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone issued a voluntary evacuation order for Fire Island Saturday.

"I urge residents to check ferry service times and make plans to leave the barrier island today," he said.

>> Where, When Henri Is Expected To Make Landfall On Long Island, via Shirley-Mastic Patch; East End Battens Down As Henri, Expected As Hurricane, Approaches, via Southampton Patch

New York City

As Henri churns across eastern Long Island, it's expected to miss New York City by miles as it heads north towards Connecticut.

A tropical storm warning is in place for Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and southern Queens.

>> Henri Latest: NYC Under Tropical Storm Warning, via New York City Patch

Connecticut

It's unclear whether Henri will make landfall in Connecticut as a hurricane or a strong tropical storm; regardless, landfall is expected east of New Haven at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Henri is expected to bring tropical storm strength winds to coastal areas of the state, several inches of rain and dangerous storm surge to shoreline areas.

>> CT Weather: Hurricane Henri To Make Landfall Sunday, via Milford Patch

Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Since Saturday morning's forecast had Henri tracking farther west than previously predicted, Massachusetts and Rhode Island could see less rain but also a potential for more wind.

The core of the storm will move northwest through Connecticut after it makes landfall, and will be centered over Great Barrington by 2 a.m. Monday. The storm may then weaken to a tropical depression before heading northeast through Concord, New Hampshire, and out to sea.

A tropical storm warning was posted for southern Bristol County in Massachusetts and the interior of Rhode Island from Providence to Woonsocket.

There was also a storm surge warning for the entire Rhode Island and Connecticut coastlines. The forecast warned of 3 to 5 feet of inundation, with the greatest threat in Narragansett Bay.

>> Hurricane Henri: Storm Upgraded; Watches, Warnings In MA, RI, via Norton Patch

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Safety is monitoring Henri and is advising residents and visitors to prepare for potential impacts.

"Tropical storms and hurricanes are not just a threat to coastal communities," Jennifer Harper, the state's emergency management director, said. "High winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes and flooding can occur anywhere in New Hampshire. Waiting until Sunday to prepare for this storm is too late. Prepare now for potential flooding and power outages."

>> Hurricane Henri Update: Officials Say NH Will Be Impacted, via Concord Patch