The storm poses a serious flooding danger for millions of people across the region’s major metropolitan areas
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said Sunday the state is bracing for “heavy impacts of high wind, loss of power, and flooding” from Tropical Storm Henri in the next 1-2 hours.
“I’m asking you, Rhode Island, to say home until this storm passes. You are not only putting your own life at risk but you are endangering our first responders,” McKee said during a news conference.
As resources from other states continue to pour in, McKee said he has ordered a ban on state roadways for motorcycles and tractor-trailers, except those carrying emergency supplies.
The governor said he is limiting access to a number of the state’s bridges as well. McKee said “any vehicle that cannot, in the opinion of law enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge” will be asked to turn around.
The state is experiencing more than 8,000 power outages and expects extended outages throughout the day, a concern McKee said he has shared with President Joe Biden and with the national grid.
McKee said Biden promised additional utility workers “to help us get residents and businesses connected back to power as soon as possible.”
