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Thousands left without power as Tropical Storm Henri hits US east coast

WION Web Team
WashingtonUpdated: Aug 23, 2021, 08:04 AM IST
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Photograph:(AFP)

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Tropical Storm Henri was earlier downgraded by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm engulfed large parts of Rhode Island with flash flooding reported in several areas.

Tropical Storm Heri lashed Rhode Island on the US east coast leaving thousands without electricity and bringing record rainfall.

US President Joe Biden said the storm has "potential for widespread consequences across the region with significant flooding and power outage" in New England.

The US president ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts in Rhode Island which has been the worst hit due to the storm.

Tropical Storm Henri

Storm Henri slowed down over Rhode Island after making landfall on Sunday however it caused heavy rainfall in northeast US.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Storm Heri is expected to head towards the northwest before slowing down near the New York-Connecticut border.

The storm hit Rhode Island with wind speeds of 95kph as officials remained on high alert. 

Tropical Storm Henri

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he feared flooding in the area. Officials had put Long Island and southern New England on alert including parts of Massachusetts' Cape Cod.

The NHC said over  42 million people in the region were under Tropical Storm Heri's alert warning with storm surges expected, although the surge warning were lifted later.

Tropical Storm Henri

The storm was earlier downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane as it struck America's northeastern seaboard.

Flash flooding was witnessed in Newark and New Jersey as emergency services swung into action with blackouts in Connecticut.

At least 200 flights were cancelled due to the storm at Newark airport including several in New York's LaGuardia and JFK airport.

(With inputs from Agencies)