Henri made landfall in the United States and Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for New York and two other states

Henri, downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm, made landfall near the town of Westerly at 12:15 p.m. local time, the National Weather Service reported on Twitter.

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, approved the declaration of the state of emergency for the state of new York because of the arrival of the tropical storm Henri, also for Connecticut and Rhode Island.

For its part, U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) He said in his bulletin that Henri recorded maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour, according to an AFP cable.

Meteorologists warned there would be heavy rain and a risk of storm surge.

“There is still cause for concern. We are not out of the woods,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters this morning.

As the surface layer of the oceans warms due to climate change, cyclones become more powerful and carry more water, posing a growing threat to coastal communities around the world, scientists say.

Storm surges, magnified by rising sea levels, can be particularly devastating, and meteorologists have warned that Henri this could cause waves of up to five feet in some coastal areas.

“A small change in intensity (of the storm) is expected until it makes landfall, followed by rapid weakening after Henry moves inland over southern Nova Scotia. England, “the NHC wrote earlier.

Part of the northeast of the country, including New York, was placed on alert Friday for the approach of Henri, which was originally due to make landfall as a hurricane.

The entire northeast coast of the United States is on high alert with more than 35 million people affected by flood risk, particularly in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey areas.

The risk of rain is level 3 out of 4 and flooding is expected in many areas with water level up to 12-15 centimeters in height, while in Brooklyn, New York, flooding has been generated.

Off the coast of Long Island, waves up to 20 feet high have been recorded, with winds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. So far, more than a thousand flights have been canceled, with Newark and Boston Logan international airports the most affected so far.

On Long Island, home to the posh Hamptons communities where wealthy New Yorkers retire in the summer, some residents have rushed to work to stock up on water and other supplies.

But the roads were generally quiet as residents braced for the storm in their homes.

“We know the tail (of the storm) is going to hit us,” said Amy Pedatella, a 46-year-old property manager who spent Saturday insuring beachfront homes in the Hamptons.

The worsening weather conditions forced last night to cancel the big concert which took place in Central park to mark the reunion of the artists with the New York public after the pandemic.

The singer Barry manilow he was interrupted in the middle of a song by a voice over the speakers urging the audience to move quickly but calmly to the nearest exits.

Faced with the threat, several governors called on the population to be cautious.

“Take this seriously. Prepare today for the storm that arrives Sunday. Watch the local forecast and stay safe,” Cuomo said on Saturday.

The governor also declared a state of emergency and ordered the preventive deployment of 500 National Guard soldiers.

“Be prepared for heavy rains, strong winds and power outages,” he also warned residents of potentially affected areas of New York state.

The economic and cultural capital of the United States still painfully remembers Hurricane Sandy, which killed 44 people in 2012.