Henri Delivers More Hype Than Hurricane As MA Dodges Storm

BOSTON — After days of being warned of prolonged power outages and extensive flooding, residents reported minimal damage as Henri passed through Massachusetts on Sunday.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, there were no reports of major injuries in Massachusetts. There were 9,237 customers without power in Massachusetts, which was far lower than the 100,000 to 300,000 Gov. Charlie Baker had estimated would be without power by Sunday evening when he spoke Saturday afternoon.

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With fears of flash flooding, strong winds and rain-soaked soil making it easier for trees to topple, officials had initially warned residents to prepare for power outages to last as long as a week. Hundreds of utility crews from across the U.S. and Canada were sent to New England ahead of the storm, but the state's major electric utilities are now expecting to restore power in most place by Monday.

While the worst of Henri's winds had passed through the state by Sunday evening, officials were still concerned about the chance for flash flooding. But most areas of eastern Massachusetts were reporting less than an inch of rain, well below the two to four inches that had been forecast earlier in the day.

Other states were not as fortunate as Massachusetts. At the storm's peak, more than 100,000 customers were without power in Rhode Island.

Henri was downgraded to a tropical storm from a category one hurricane in the overnight hours.The first bands of rain from Henri arrived in Rhode Island and along the south coast of Massachusetts early Sunday morning, and by 8:30 a.m. a heavy, windblown rain was falling in Boston.

The storm hit land at 12:15 p.m. in Rhode Island. There were reports of wind gusts exceeding 70 mph in the late morning and early afternoon hours.

Henri is expected to weaken and become a tropical depression by Monday afternoon, moving out of the region northeast across southern New Hampshire and Maine.

Henri Resources

• Check power outages in Massachusetts
• Check power outages in Rhode Island
• Check NWS Boston-North Watches, Warnings
• NOAA National Hurricane Center Updates
• Hurricane preparedness tips

Travel Restrictions

• The Steamship Authority has canceled all scheduled ferry trips through at least 5 p.m. Sunday.
• The MBTA is reducing service on Sunday, and won't run the Green Line D Branch, Mattapan Trolley and the ferry system.
• MassDOT said it may restrict travel over the Cape Cod Canal if conditions warrant. The agency may also restrict empty trucks and tandem tractor trailers on state highways.
• Logan Airport was warning travelers to check for delays and cancellations.