[10:00 AM | August 22, 2021] Media Alert 004: Information from the Barnstable County Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) Hurricane Henri Update
BCREPC Convened at 10:00 AM August 22nd to Review Tropical Storm Henri Updates and Regional Response Planning
August 22, 2021 (Barnstable, MA) – The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC), comprised of state, county, and local officials, first responders, emergency managers, elected officials, and other regional partners, met this morning to discuss the changes in guidance for Tropical Storm Henri. The next meeting will take place on Sunday at 4:00 PM.
Henri has weakened considerably and was downgraded to a tropical storm early this morning. The Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect, however the storm is anticipated to weaken further by evening hours.
- Henri is expected to make landfall in Rhode Island early to mid-afternoon today.
- Cape Cod and the Islands should still expect gusts up to 50-55 mph as the storm crosses our latitude.
- Most convection will occur to our west and storm surge on the east side.
- Surge values are expected to be in the 3-3.5ft range.
- We should see minimal rain here on Cape Cod; there is always the possibility of small “pop-up” tornadoes and thunderstorms, but they are unlikely to be destructive.
- Tides are astronomically high today, and there is a potential for coastal flooding. Check www.bcrepc.org for updates.
- All utilities remain poised and prepared for the storm, with additional crews on the Cape and Islands able to handle storm related damage, if necessary.
- Steamship Authority service for both the Vineyard and Nantucket have been canceled today. Steamship Authority is closely monitoring this storm and will reinstate ferry service as soon as possible. Check Steamship Authority’swebsite for updates on tonight’s service.
- Shelters remain on stand-by status. BCREPC will reassess during the storm/post-impact, and shelters will open, if necessary. The Medical Reserve Corps, Red Cross, Cape Cod Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) 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 was partially activated this morning at 7:00 AM and continues to monitor the storm.
- The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) activated at 8:00 AM this morning. The MACC is 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.
The public is strongly encouraged to remain at home and off the roads for the duration of the storm. Stay informed by visiting www.bcrepc.org.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE: The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) is a coalition of law enforcement, fire service, health care, public health, public works, EMS, military, and numerous other affiliated agencies as outlined by the Massachusetts State Emergency Response Committee (SERC). It 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. The mission of the BCREPC is to harness the power of planning, cooperation, and interoperability to assist Cape Cod communities to mitigate the threat from any hazard which may require the response of multiple jurisdictions.
