Henri — once a hurricane, then a tropical storm — is now a tropical depression. Experts predict that the storm’s remnants will settle near the New York-Connecticut border for a while before moving east. Here are some things you should know about the storm as its winds down.
HENRI IS HEAVY HURRICANE
No. No. It weakened as it made landfall in Rhode Island at midday. It was even weaker as it moved at a mere 1 mph over Connecticut and western Massachusetts by Monday morning.
What’s the difference between a HURRICANE and a TROPICAL STORM?
It all comes down to the wind. Particularly, the sustained winds. Maximum sustained winds for a hurricane is anything higher than 74 mph. A tropical storm? 39-73 mph
Henri’s sustained winds peaked at 40 mph (64 km/h) on Sunday night, well below hurricane status.
When sustained winds dropped below 39 mph, it became a tropical depression.
Henri is not to be taken lightly. Even if coastal areas are spared severe storm surge and high winds, heavy rains can cause flooding in the interior.
WHAT ARE THE AREAS HENRI IS SUPPOSED TO AFFECT
Henri, upon reaching shore, turned west and poured large amounts of rain onto Connecticut, New York’s Hudson River Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania. A lot of the area received an additional 1 to 3 inches.
The storm surge, a wall of water that was pushed ahead by the storm’s winds, wasn’t as significant as it was in 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. It still has devastating effects on New York. __S.23__
WHO IS HENRI WHO IS BOB WHO IS GLORIA
Stormy trio. Henri was a strong hurricane on Saturday, but lost steam Sunday. It would have been New England’s first hurricane in 30 years if it had made landfall as one. Bob was its predecessor, responsible for the deaths of 17 and $1.5 billion in damage in August 1991. With Connecticut being in Henri’s path, it is worth remembering Gloria — the September 1985 hurricane that made landfall on Long Island and Connecticut caused eight deaths and almost $1 billion in damages.
JE M’APPELLE HENRI — WHY SHARE A NAME AND A STORM?
These storms have human names courtesy the World Meteorological Association, which draws up a list of 21 names for each Atlantic hurricane season.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR A HENRI (OR BOB OR GLORIA),?
Two ingredients are required for a storm’s ability to track so far north: a tropical system and steering currents. According to the National Weather Service, most tropical systems in northern hemisphere tend to run out or recur before they make it north.
According to the National Weather Service, it’s a tropical weather phenomenon. But at the same time, climate change isn’t off the hook when it comes to tropical weather — global warming exacerbates hurricanes, making them stronger and wetter.
HOW DO HENRI COMPARE TO SANDY
Sandy is known around these parts as a superstorm, due to the fact that it was an extratropical system in October 2012 when it caused severe damage to New York City and its suburbs. Although Henri hasn’t been too severe for the shore or city, it could cause catastrophic flooding in the Hudson River Valley. The power outages could last for up to a week in the region. Sandy was a good example of how you can prepare for the worst. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo raised Sandy at a Saturday news conference. He said that Henri offered “short notice” in comparison.
CUOMO? Is he still around?
Yes. Cuomo is governor until 11:59 p.m. EDT Monday, so he’s technically still in charge for now.
WE ARE IN THE DOG DAYS of AUGUST — ARE STILL TOURISTS ON ATLANTIC COAST?
Yes. Yes, indeed. Although school is back in session on some parts of the east coast there are still thousands of tourists who enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod, Hamptons, and other areas.
Is HENRI a FAST-MOVING STORM OR A SLOW-MOVING STORM
Henri hasn’t won any races. It’s slow churn might be a good thing. This could increase the likelihood that it will fail quickly. It could also indicate a lot more concentrated rain, which can lead to flooding.
WAIT, WAS WAS HURRICANE BOB THE SAME AS “THE PERFECT STOM”?
Both storms occurred in 1991. The so-called “perfect storm” — also known as the Halloween Storm — hit New England about two months later. It began as a nor’easter and in that form, it caused the most damage. It eventually became a hurricane at its center, but it was deliberately left unnamed by meteorologists because it could be distracting.
SAY IT HAD BEEN NAMED. WHAT WOULD IT HAVE BEEN KNOWN AS?
Henri.
SERIOUSLY?
Yes! Atlantic hurricane names are recycled every six years, unless they’re retired out of notoriety — we’re never going to see another hurricane named Katrina, or even Bob, again. And the “H” name — Henri in 1991 — was next on the list when the storm struck.
So THAT MOVIE IS NOT ABOUT BOB?
True. Correct.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IRENE
2011’s Irene was indeed a hurricane, but by the time it ravaged Vermont, it was technically a tropical storm.
