Storm Henri has turned into a hurricane and is expected to make landfall on the US east coast on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Henri became a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday and is expected to make landfall on the northeast coast of the United States on SundayUS meteorologists reported.

“Although some weakening is expected before landing on Sunday, Henry is expected to have or be close to hurricane strength when it hits the coasts of Long Island and southern New England,” said the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Maximum sustained winds increased to around 120 km / h with higher gustsadded the center.

At 12:00 GMT, Henry was located approximately 200 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras (North Carolina) and approximately 525 miles (850 km) south of Montauk Point (New York).

The area where forecasters predict the landing, between Long Island, New York, and Watch Hill Island, Rhode Island, is under hurricane warning; and there are other alerts issued by the NHC for the coastal areas of New York, including the New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The NHC has also issued storm surge specific alerts that Henri can produce, with a risk of sea level rise of up to 1.50 meters in some places along the coast.

According to local media, in 30 years, there had not been a named storm to make landfall this far north of the east coast of the United States..

New EnglandAs the northeastern region of the United States is known, it does not typically appear on maps and charts at the Miami-based National Hurricane Center due to its remoteness from the tropics.

Henri, moving in a north-northeast direction, will make a north-northwest turn in the next few hours.

In addition to the storm surge, which in combination with the tide can cause flooding in some areas of the coast, Henry will produce strong winds and heavy rain and a tornado in New England.

The NHC has warned of the risk of flash floods and river overflow in the area where it will impact.

“All residents are advised to start preparations and pay close attention to the local weatherThe Massachusetts governor’s office said on Friday, Charlie baker.

His state, which closed parks and beaches until Monday, was bracing for high winds to cut power to up to 300,000 residents, the governor’s office said.

If Henri maintains his current course and keeps his strength, it would be the first hurricane to hit New England directly in 30 years. “The last hurricane to make landfall in New England was Hurricane Bob in 1991“, He reminded the press agency AFP Dennis Feltgen, spokesperson for NHC. This storm killed at least 17 people.

It has been almost a decade since such severe weather conditions were expected in part of the region. “The last hurricane warnings were issued for the region was for Hurricane Irene in late August 2011.Said the National Weather Service in New York.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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