Update, 5 P.M., Sunday, August 22
Minimal damage was felt throughout the Cape, South Coast and Islands from Tropical Storm Henri. Peak wind gusts recorded from the National Weather Service for Cape Cod are as follows:
Mashpee 51 Mph
Wellfleet 48 Mph
West Dennis 45 Mph
Kalmus 42 Mph
Waquoit Bay 41 Mph
Flooding was seen on some parts of the Cape. Parts of Surf Drive in Falmouth were closed to cars. Sand and seaweed from the road were being moved back onto the beach.
Ferry service from the Steamship Authority resumed at 5:20 pm.
Update, 9 A.M., Sunday, August 22
The city of New Bedford has closed its hurricane barrier before Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall.
New York Times is reporting this is the first time it has been closed since Sandy hit in 2012.
The director of the New Bedford Port Authority tells the Times “Once it’s closed, it’s closed. You can’t underestimate this kind of storm.”
Henri is expected to bring 50 mile-an-hour wind gusts and surges between three and five feet.
Update, 7 A.M., Sunday, August 22
A more Eastern track has firmed up and much of the Upper Cape, South Coast and Martha's Vineyard will see winds in the 30 to 40mph range. Some rain is expected, storm surge is likely, and power outages are anticipated for much of the region.
Tides will be astronomically high on Sunday and there is a potential for coastal flooding along the north and south side of Cape Cod, with the south side more likely to be more impacted.
Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee Multi-Agency Coordination Center will be staffed and will have updates on their website, including information on shelters.
Eversource has staffed its Emergency Operations Center and has its power outage map available online. To report power outages to Eversource, call: 800-592-2000.
The US Coast Guard has shut down the ports to all traffic, meaning there is no travel from The Steamship Authority this morning. The Steamship is updating its website with information.
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The National Weather Service has updated its advisory for the Cape, Coast and Islands: The region is now under a Storm Surge Watch and Buzzards Bay, Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard are under a Tropical Storm Warning. This is a downgrade from the previous Hurricane Watch issued for the area.
The window of concern for storm surge is early Sunday morning until early Monday morning. The National Weather Service is warning that life-threatening storm surge is possible with the potential for surge 2-4 feet above the ground.
Tropical Storm force winds are possible from Sunday morning until early Monday morning. Extremely strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and severely reduce visibility. The National Weather Service is urging mariners to remain in port, alter course, and/or secure their vessel.
Harbormasters around the region are urging boat owners to take necessary steps to protect their boats.
The Nantucket harbormaster will close the town pier on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, prior to the cancellation of the Hurricane Watch for the region and switch to a Tropical Storm Warning, Governor Charlie Baker said Sunday should be a "stay at home day" across the state, particularly on the Cape and Islands.
Meanwhile, the Steamship Authority is noting that the storm could result in a loss of service on Sunday to both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The Steamship has a section of its website dedicated to updates about the storm and its impact to ferry travel.
CAI will continue to monitor the storm on the Cape, Coast and Islands.
