The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) convened this morning to address the imminent arrival of Hurricane Henri.
The BCREPC represents the towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth in Barnstable County, and the town of Nantucket in Nantucket County.
As of Saturday evening, Henri continues to intensify and is now a 75 mph hurricane. The BCREPC warns that Henri may continue to intensify until it reaches the cooler waters off the coast of southern New England, where it is expected to steadily weaken thereafter.
The timing on largest impact of storm force winds for our region is likely to begin early morning Sunday between 8 am and 12 pm, with peak winds in the late evening as Henri crosses the region’s latitude line. Sustained winds of 35-40 mph with gusts 55-60 mph are possible at the height of the storm. Surge values of 2-4 feet on the north side and 3-5 feet are still possible on the south. 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.
For updates, visit bcrepc.org.
Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Impacted Operations
The Steamship Authority reports all ferries running as scheduled on Saturday, August 21 and will reassess the schedule on Sunday morning.
Nickerson State Park, Shawme-Crowell State Forest, Scussett Beach State Reservation, and Wellfleet Hollow State Campgrounds are closed during the storm.
South Cape Beach in Mashpee will be closed Saturday evening at 7:00 PM.
The Barnstable Police Department warns residents to be alert and take precautionary measures ahead of the storm.
BCREPC encourages residents to prepare for the potential effects of Hurricane Henri. For personal preparedness tips and resources, visit bcrepc.org.
"We encourage all resident and visitors to build a kit, plan, and stay informed."
BCREPC Preparations
The BCREPC has taken action to prepare for Henri's arrival. According to BCREPC, "All utilities are poised and prepared for the storm, all with additional crews on the Cape and Islands able to handle storm related damage, if necessary."
BCREPC continues in their report on Saturday evening:
Shelter preparation continues to be on stand-by status and shelters. BCREPC will reassess during the storm/post-impact, and shelters will open, if necessary. The Medical Reserve Corps, Red Cross and the Salvation Army are on stand-by to help at shelters in the event they open. Note: there are 6 shelters in our region, and a shelter map is available on bcrepc.org.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management EOC partially activated this morning and will be fully activated Sunday morning at 7:00 AM.
The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center(MACC) is currently on stand-by and anticipates fully activating Sunday morning at 8 am, with hybrid support from partners. The MACC will be ready to help towns and local agencies with resources, information, and regional coordination during the storm. The MACC has sourced PPE in the event shelters need to be opened and have also sourced additional sandbags if towns require those.
Photo: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images