NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Long Island and Connecticut utility providers are warning Hurricane Henri could bring severe damage and power outages lasting between one and three weeks in certain areas.
The Category 1 storm is expected to bring upwards of 80 mph winds when it directly hits Long Island’s Suffolk County on Sunday before heading up New York’s Hudson region and Capital District.
PSEG, on Long Island, is anticipating power outages between seven and 10 days.
“Given the potential intensity of the storm, the damage may be severe and some outages may last up to seven to 10 days; however, if the forecast continues to strengthen and the storm moves farther west, restoration could take up to 14 days,” said Michael Sullivan, senior director of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island, in a statement.
“We are prepared for hurricane force winds and are informing customers to help set expectations about the storm’s potential so that they can also prepare,” he added.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a State of Emergency for parts of New York and is deploying 500 National Guard members, with the storm projected to reach Long Island sometime between Sunday morning and early afternoon.
A Hurrican Watch is in effect for Long Island, with Cuomo warning of heavy rainfall and flooding for flood-prone parts of the region on the same level of Hurricane Sandy.
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Utility provider Eversource in Connecticut has also issued grave warnings of outages in the state, where the storm is expected to mak landfall on the state's shoreline.
Roughly 1.25 million Eversource electric customers — between 50% and 69% of its clients — could face power outages lasting anywhere between eight and 21 days.
"Now's thge time to prepare with your family, and to check in on your neighborhs who might need a hand," said Craig Hallstrom, Eversource's president of regional electric operations
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect in New York City, where residents will also face heavy rain, flooding and strong wind gusts.
Con Edison issued a statement Saturday morning that it is “closely monitoring” the storm and will have additional staff in the field to deal with any outages.