By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Franklin County, MA) Henri has reached wind speeds of 75mph, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center, upgrading the storm to a category one hurricane. Hurricane Henri is still expected to hit land as a low grade category one hurricane and weaken rapidly once it hits land. Damaging winds and flooding are the primary concern for Western Massachusetts at the moment. The storm continues to track Northeast traveling at approximately 14mph. The latest warnings and watches for Henri as of 11am Saturday according to the National Weather Service, are as follows:
The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning have been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Block Island RI, Newport RI, and Washington RI – A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Barnstable MA, Nantucket MA, Northwest Providence RI, and Southeast Providence RI – The Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Bristol RI, Eastern Kent RI, and Western Kent RI * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Barnstable MA, Bristol RI, Dukes MA, Eastern Kent RI, Nantucket MA, Southern Bristol MA, and Southern Plymouth MA – A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hartford CT, Northwest Providence RI, Southeast Providence RI, Tolland CT, Western Kent RI, and Windham CT.
Tropical storm conditions may begin as early as Saturday night in some locations and become hurricane conditions by Saturday morning. Rain fall predictions remain high, four to eight inches for most of Massachusetts, and wind peak wind gusts are predicted to be at least 40mph or higher. Although the trajectory is still evolving, a significant amount of rain and high winds are still expected for Western Massachusetts.