USA – Floods and Evacuations After Heavy Rain From Tropical Storm Henri

by in News, USA

Tropical Storm Henri made landfall near Westerly, Rhode Island USA on 22 August 2021. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the region before landfall. A record 1.94 inches (49.28 mm) of rain fell in Central Park, New York in 1 hour late on 21 August 2021.

Floods in Jamesburg NJ, USA after Storm Henri 22 August 2021. Photo: Jamesburg Fire Department

Henri also brought strong winds and storm surge. At one point more than 120,000 people were without power across the Northeast. Some flights and trains were suspended temporarily. As of 23 August the Federal Government approved emergency declarations for Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Henri caused some coastal flooding in Rhode Island and Connecticut. In Connecticut, about 250 residents from 4 nursing homes close to the shore were relocated to other facilities. Several major bridges in Rhode Island were briefly closed and some coastal roads were impassable.

Heavy rain from Henri caused flooding in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, among other areas. According to the National Weather Service Eastern Region, by early 22 August, Henri had dumped 8.91 inches (226.31 mm) of rain in Cranbury, New Jersey; 6.49 inches (164.85 mm)  in Long Beach NJ; and 6.31 inches (160.27 mm) in Brooklyn New York, where flooded streets disrupted traffic.

New Jersey saw some of the worst of the flooding. In Helmetta, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for around 200 residents due to flood threat. Firefighters rescued 86 people in 11 incidents related to the storm in Newark. Streets of Hoboken were swamped. Flooding damaged buildings in Jamesburg and Cranbury. Several roads were closed in areas of Monroe Township and 10 people moved from flooded homes in Rossmoor.

Firefighters evacuated 18 people from flooded areas of Manchester in Hartford County, Connecticut. In New York, residents in low-lying areas of Mamaroneck in Westchester County were advised to leave their homes due to the threat of flooding from the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck rivers.

Clean up operations were in full swing by 23 August after the slow-moving storm had moved out to sea.

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