Tropical Storm Henri could bring rip currents, some moisture to Jersey shore this weekend
Henri was expected to intensify into a hurricane by Saturday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Forecasters issued a hurricane warning Friday afternoon for portions of Long Island, New York and New England as Tropical Storm Henri continues tracking toward the the area.
Henri was expected to intensify into a hurricane by Saturday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in advisory. Impacts could be felt in New England states by Sunday.
As those area prepare, Meteorologist Karen Rogers says the impacts to the Jersey shore and Delaware Valley will be minimal.
"We may get some moisture from (the storm), but the bigger issue for us at this point looks to be the waves building three to four feet along the coastline, minor coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents," she said.
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"We know we're going to have a higher surf advisory than normal over the weekend with high rip currents, rip current warnings and advisories will be in effect," said Margate Emergency Management Coordinator Chuck LaBarre.
Some say they'll keep an eye on their vehicles at high tide.
"It gets pretty bad over here. For some reason, I'm always surprised but the flooding right here on Atlantic Ave. gets pretty bad," said Veronica Middleman, who is spending the summer in Margate.
Even with a less-than-perfect forecast, some weekend visitors still kept their plans and came down.
"Make the best of it. There's only a few more weeks left of the summer so we might as well enjoy it while we can," said Mike Bederka of Haddon Township.
Next week, Margate will test its brand new emergency alert system, which will help notify the public of disastrous situations.
The U.S. Coast Guard is warning boaters to check conditions before they head out this weekend and to make sure they have life jackets, radios and safety gear.
Anyone braving the ocean should only swim near a lifeguard on duty.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the south shore of Long Island, New York from fire island inlet to Montauk Point, for the north shore of Long Island from Port Jefferson Harbor to Montauk Point, and from New Haven, Connecticut, to west of Watch Hill, Rhode Island.
A tropical storm warning is in effect from west of Port Jefferson Harbor to west of New Haven, Connecticut, and for the South Shore of Long Island from west of Fire Island Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet.
A tropical storm watch in effect from Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey, to west of East Rockaway Inlet, New York, including New York City.
The main threats in those areas include storm surge, wind and rain, forecasters said. Storm surge between 3 and 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) was possible from Watch Hill, Rhode Island, to Sagamore Beach.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
