Storm brings heavy rain to Glen Cove

The impact of Tropical Storm Henri has been less than anticipated in Glen Cove, though heavy rainfall is expected throughout the afternoon. 

A tropical storm warning remained in effect for all of Nassau County as Henri's outer bands swirled across Long Island, bringing with it increasing rain totals and winds, the National Weather Service said at midday.

According to Glen Cove Mayor Tim Tenke, the city's Department of Public Works began preparing for the storm by cleaning and inspecting catch basins, and continues to be on call for the community's needs. He said that the city's Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the storm as well. Residents can call 911 or the Glen Cove Fire Department at (516) 676-0366 to report a downed wire or DPW at (516) 676-4402 to report downed trees or flooded roads.

The Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at Nassau Community College for those who might need it. At midday, PSEG Long Island was reporting a little more than 1,700 outages island-wide, scattered in small clusters across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The NWS downgraded Henri to a tropical storm from a Category 1 hurricane when its wind speed dropped from an average of 75 to 70 mph. That happened right at 7 a.m.

As of that hour, Henri was circulating in the Atlantic Ocean 50 miles southeast of Southampton. That put the storm significantly farther east than predicted on Saturday, when forecasters estimated the storm's track would run straight through the center of the island, in the Islip area. Henri's track, coupled with its reduction to a tropical storm, should reduce its impacts for Nassau County, though at midday, it remained to be seen how precisely the storm would play out, according to forecasters.

The NWS warned that Henri remains a major storm that could bring on-again, off-again downpours throughout the day through 4 p.m. The storm surge was expected to be two to four feet above normal tidal levels on the South Shore and potentially higher on the North Shore. The surf was rough. Power outages remained a concern, as well.

Beaches are closed, and all are advised to stay out of the water and off the roads.

Given the potential intensity of the storm, some power outages may last up to seven to 10 days, PSEG Long Island officials said Saturday. "We continue to monitor the track of Tropical Storm Henri," said Michael Sullivan, senior director of transmission and Distribution at PSEG Long Island. "As the storm makes its way up the coast, employees are preparing for the possibility of high winds that can cause flying debris, and bring down trees and power lines. We encourage our customers to do the same at their homes and businesses."

In response, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat from Baldwin, said, “Potential seven- to 10-day power outages are unacceptable. While we are all hoping for the best outcome this weekend, PSEG must call in additional crews who are prepared to respond to our residents' outages.”

More to follow.