Weather Now: Tracking Henri

Meteorologist Michelle Muscatello has your 5 am update on Tropical Storm Henri and how it will impact our region.

WPRI 12's Pinpoint Doppler Weather service for Rhode Island and Southeastern Mass.

[laurajenney]

I wrote this for my Son and his bride to be, but there are plenty of other kin and friends that live up North that are not used to getting hit by hurricanes and tropical storms like those of us down South in Florida are, and thought someone just might need this info.

Hi Son, I understand that you have a storm headed your way. And I know that y'all up there are not as accustomed to getting smacked by hurricanes and tropical storms as those of us down South are. Here is a little advice that will help with preparations.

Be sure to stock up on gallons of water, Sterno, candles, batteries and flashlights, and canned foods like spam, canned ravioli, manual can opener, and instant coffee, and a battery operated radio, drinks, TP, lots of sanitary wipes, bleach, etc. Don't forget pet food. Do this SOONER rather than later.

You can make a makeshift stove by putting a can of Sterno in your kitchen sink and placing the rack from your oven over the sink in case of power outages. Power outages can last for days to weeks. (For real.)

Make sure to charge your phones well in advance, and use it as little as possible to save the phone for emergencies. Listen to the battery operated radio instead of your phone.

Put all important papers in gallon freezer bags and in a watertight container. Store up high and where you can get to them quickly if necessary. Flooding is an issue with these storms.

Pick up toys and small pots etc., outside as in a good wind, they can become 'projectiles'.

Make sure you have a first aid kit well stocked and on hand.

If you have a john boat or inflatable raft, keep it close to your house. You may just need it.

Do not walk around outside if it floods. There may be power lines down and you will not see them on flooded streets. Keep your eyes on power lines if you have to use the boats/rafts for rescue. ...No cruising around in your boat unless absolutely necessary! I mean it!

Know when the high tides are expected. Not only are they going to be higher due to storm surge and rainfall, but it is going to be a full moon this weekend as well which will further increase the tide levels.

Do laundry well in advance, in case of power outages. Put some clothes in plastic bins and store high if possible.

Hurricanes and tropical storms SPAWN TORNADOES. Keep your battery powered radio ON during power outages.

If you have to communicate with others via cell phone, do group chats to save batteries, and keep it as short as possible. Make sure that others know to do the same to preserve batteries, which you will need in case of emergency.

If you have large trees with limbs over your house bear in mind, with hurricanes and tropical storms there is a whole lot of rain and wind. Wood swells when wet. With heavy wind added and the weight from rainwater added to limbs, big limbs tend to break. If you have time to trim them, it is a good idea to do so. If not, stay away from the part of the house that has heavy limbs hanging over it.

Never EVER underestimate a hurricane or tropical storm just because it is only a Cat 1 or 2. I have seen mere tropical storms put entire towns completely under water! For real!

Make sure my grandson has stuff to play with besides video games in case of power outages.

Storms like these are very noisy and scary. ...Especially for kids and pets. I advise to cook up some turkey burgers in advance and feed it to them the night/day of the storm. The tryptophan in the turkey will keep them nice and chilled out and prolly sleeping through the worst of it.

Make sure you have plenty of any prescription medicine needed on hand and enough for at least a week or more.

Make sure you have some cash on hand as well. Put it in a baggie, up high or put your wallets in a baggie.

Also bear in mind that because the way Henri is expected to turn, ya'll are going to get hit from all four directions.

Buy a little wine for your nerves, but do not get over buzzed; say your prayers, and know that I love you all! Do share, because others in your area may not know this information, as there hasn't been a hurricane hit your part of the country in 30 years.

[nebulavortex]

Im in northern rhode island hopefully i get to film it

[goofylio]

Wait am kinda lucky bc the hurricane isn’t coming my area it might be flood but idk

[maiixiong]

Ain’t coming no where near providence 🙄 no worries 😉 we safe 👌🏼