Projected path of Tropical Storm Henri, according to this National Weather Service map. The storm may come ashore late Saturday/early Sunday in Westport with hurricane force.

By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Tropical Storm Henri, barreling toward the northeastern U.S. on Friday, is forecast to grow into a hurricane before making landfall here Sunday.

It could be the first storm officially classified as a hurricane to hit New England in 30 years. As of 2 p.m. Friday, Henri was about 720 miles south of New York City and winds clocked at 65 mph. 

“Tropical Storm Henri is currently due east of the South Carolina coastline and will likely track north nearing eastern Long Island and into southern New England Sunday as a Category 1 Hurricane,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.

A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Westport and the rest of southern Fairfield County and beyond. 

Forecasters on Friday said the storm is expected to hit southeastern Connecticut harder than the Westport area. But the final track of the storm remains uncertain.

Marpe: Westport getting ready

First Selectman James Marpe said the town’s Emergency Management Team met virtually Friday afternoon to discuss storm preparations.

“Our Public Works Department is making sure its equipment is at the ready, storm drains are cleared, and any obstructions that might be in creeks and waterways are cleared,” he said.

“The Police and Fire departments are making sure that they have the manpower on call to respond,” he added. “The Human Services Department is making sure that its list of people who may be vulnerable from a medical standpoint is up to date, and that our first responders are aware of those locations.”

Marpe said the town is in contact with the power utility, Eversource, as well as the National Weather Service.

“It’s still a little premature to conclude exactly where the storm will come ashore, and how Westport will be affected,” the first selectman said. “Nevertheless, we’re going through the preparations to be sure we’re using appropriate caution for any of the possibilities.”

Westport’s Emergency Management team will update residents as more information about the projected impact is determined, according to a statement released at 7 p.m. Friday.  The team said heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, coastal flooding and power outages are anticipated from the storm.

Governor declares state of emergency

Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday announced that he asked for a presidential pre-landfall emergency declaration to provide the state with federal assistance in anticipation of the potential hurricane’s impact.

Lamont also plans to issue a declaration of civil preparedness emergency to enable the state to take actions “to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of Connecticut.”

The governor directed the Connecticut State Emergency Operations Center to activate over the weekend. It will be staffed by personnel from relevant state agencies, in addition to utility company representatives, in order to monitor and manage issues caused by the storm.

Henri, according to the National Weather Service, could damage buildings, down trees and branches, leave roads impassable from debris, while large areas have no power and communications outages.

The National Hurricane Center expects a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet. Two to five inches of rain also are possible.

Strong “Henri” winds forecast for Westport region by the National Weather Service.

DPW: Be prepared despite uncertain storm forecast

Westport Public Works Director Peter A. Ratkiewich said Friday afternoon that his crews are taking several steps to prepare for the storm: “Equipment preparation, clearing catch basins, making sure we have our contractors lined up.”

“The forecast is uncertain at this point,” Ratkiewich added. “We’re monitoring the situation and we will act accordingly.”

Eversource issued a statement Friday afternoon on its preparations.

“We continue to carefully monitor Tropical Storm Henri’s approach to New England Sunday morning into Monday,” the utility’s statement said. “Forecasters have made further westward adjustments to the storm track, increasing the risk of hurricane landfall over southeastern Connecticut and possible impact to central and western parts of the state. 

“Hazard winds are expected to develop Sunday morning around 6 a.m. with peak wind gusts up to 65 mph in southeast Connecticut and 40-55 mph in other portions of the state,” the statement said.

Tropical Storm Henri, according to the National Weather Service, will sweep into southern Connecticut overnight Saturday into Sunday.

List of storm information and Westport emergency resources:

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