Cuomo warns New Yorkers in flood areas to ‘move to higher ground’ before Henri

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Saturday warned New Yorkers who live in flood areas to get to higher ground before Hurricane Henri hits the state.

“If you know you are in an area that tends to flood … get out of that area now,” Cuomo said in a briefing Saturday after Henri was upgraded to hurricane status. “If you have to get to higher ground it has to be today.”

A hurricane advisory sent out this morning said Long Island, N.Y., Connecticut and Rhode Island could begin to see hurricane conditions Saturday night.

Cuomo said during the press briefing that the hurricane will be a 26-hour event, likening Henri to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

On Twitter, Cuomo announced the Statue of Liberty would be closed tomorrow, telling people they need to “prepare TODAY” for the storm.

New York City beaches will also be closed tomorrow due to Hurricane Henri.

Henri sustained 75-mile-per-hour winds on Saturday morning and has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. The storm has the ability to knock out power for thousands of people.

Cuomo posted tips for individuals on Twitter to purchase emergency supplies, make plans for pets, leave before flooding begins and move to higher ground if need be. 

Do you live in an area prone to flooding? Some tips:

-Learn the safest route to higher, drier ground
-Purchase emergency supplies like drinking water, canned food, flashlights & extra batteries
-Make a plan for your pets
-Don’t wait until flooding starts to leave#Henri

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 21, 2021

The governor was also included on a call with President Biden on Saturday, according to a readout from the White House.

The governors of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Jersey and Massachusetts were also present on the call, in which Biden and the leaders discussed how they were working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the impact of the storm.