NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone issued a voluntary evacuation order for visitors and residents of Fire Island on Long Island as Hurricane Henri bears down on Long Island.
"We are urging residents and visitors of Fire Island to leave Fire Island today for their own safety," he said.
Henri, which was upgraded to a hurricane Saturday morning, is expected to be the first such storm to directly hit Long Island in nearly 36 years when it is projected to reach land at some point Sunday morning to afternoon.
Hurricane Warnings are in effect for parts of Long Island and southern New England as Henri's winds reach a maximum speed upwards of 75 miles per hour. Potentially "dangerous" storm surges, rainfall and flooding is expected in the area, the National Weather Service warned Saturday morning.
"This storm is significant and potentially dangerous and is like to [be] really impactful in a variety of ways," Bellone said.
Ferry service to and from the island has been canceled Sunday, with Bellone warning that he is not sure when boats will be able to run again.
"The ferries...will all be working to take people off the island today. they are running schedules today, as of now, mostly normal," Bellone said.