Storm Henry threatens the United States

Part of the eastern coast of the United States, including New York City, has been put on alert as Storm Henry approaches, which is expected to turn into the first hurricane to hit the New England region in decades.

Forecasters warned of strong winds, the risk of flash floods and rising sea levels as the storm began in the Atlantic.

They expect her arrival Sunday to the mainland.

The US National Hurricane Center said in its latest bulletin that "the intensification of the storm is expected during the day, and Henry will turn into a hurricane on Friday or Saturday night."

Officials in the New England region - which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont - called on residents to prepare.

And the office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker advised "all residents to begin storm preparations today and closely monitor weather conditions."

The governor's office said his state, which will close parks and beaches from Saturday to Monday, is bracing for strong winds to disrupt power for up to 300,000 local residents.

Meteorologists said winds of about 110 kilometers per hour were accompanying "Henry" and threatening New York and the neighboring states of New England, with the possibility of heavy rain in some areas.

The bulletin from the National Hurricane Center said storms "can cause high waves."

If these predictions come true, Henry will become the first hurricane to directly hit New England in thirty years.

"The last hurricane to hit New England was Bob in 1991," CDC spokesman Dennis Felgen told AFP.

The region has not experienced such severe weather in a decade.

"The last time we issued a warning in the area was when 'IRIN' passed in late August 2011," the Department of Meteorology said.

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