By JULIE CUNNINGHAM

(Franklin County, MA) Hurricane Henri continues to track Northwards towards central and eastern Massachusetts, putting Franklin County, Hampshire County, and Hamden County on the western side of the storm. That means more rain for the area but less wind. The brunt of the storm is predicted to touch the area Sunday evening into Sunday night, with flooding rains for most of the region. Henri is predicted to drop four to six inches of rain, but ten inches is not unlikely in some areas. Flood prone areas of Franklin County should watch for evacuation orders from emergency personnel who will be monitoring the area. What is still up in the air is where and Henri will make landfall and where the storm will eventually stall for a period. There may be a westwardly pull at some point also to the storm, according to weather experts. All of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hamden counties are currently under flood warnings. Winds hold at a maximum speed of 75mph, holding Henri at a low Category One hurricane. Henri is still expected to lose power once it touches down on land. Other watches and warnings related specifically to the threat of hurricane or tropical storm conditions hoisted by 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 – A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Block Island RI, Newport RI, and Washington RI * STORM INFORMATION: – About 490 miles south-southwest of Nantucket MA or about 510 miles south of Providence RI – 34.4N 72.5W – Storm Intensity 75 mph – Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION