Trains were canceled and flights were grounded across the New York City region Saturday as Hurricane Henri made its way up the East Coast.
MTA officials said commuter rail trains on the New Haven Lane and Wassaic Branch would be out of service on Sunday, along with Long Island Rail Road on the Montauk Branch and to and from Greenport.
“The projected path of Hurricane Henri shows the most significant potential impacts will be to Metro-North customers in Connecticut, but current forecasts predict tropical storm force winds across our territory,” Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi said in a statement while advising New Yorkers across the region to avoid taking public transit.
“Metro-North territory is particularly vulnerable to high winds due to trees and overhead power wires,” Rinaldi said. “Harlem and Hudson Line customers should avoid unnecessary travel.”
Amtrak also suspended service both ways on Sunday on the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Boston and between Springfield, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut — where the storm is expected to be strongest.
New York area airports, meanwhile, had seen at least 280 flight cancelations for Sunday as of 8 p.m. on Saturday, The Port Authority said on Twitter.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who declared a state of emergency, urged motorists to avoid travel or else plan for difficult roads.
“Those who can stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rain may lead to potential flooding in low lying areas throughout the city,” the mayor said at a briefing Saturday afternoon.
“If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on your headlights, drive slowly, and exercise caution, and please do not drive into flooded areas.”
The storm is expected to make landfall on eastern Long Island on Sunday, with winds that might exceed 73 miles per hour.
The mayor said the storm could bring down some trees and would likely cause power outages. Con Edison advised customers to charge their devices in preparation.