Ever Present Threat

Essex, Connecticut

In the summer, in New England, there is an ever-present threat of storms. Usually these storms build during the day and erupt into rain, thunder and lightning in the early evening. But it can happen anytime of day in the warm and humid weeks of July, August and into early October.

A towering bank of thunder clouds is always a few hours away even on a morning that begins featuring clear blue sky.

On the third weekend of August - this year - a tropical storm named Henri moved in over southern New England in the early hours of Sunday. Its storm clouds billowing high into the atmosphere forcing boat owners in the river town of Essex, Connecticut to lash and stow and in some cases move their boats further inland.

It is a drill that happens regularly, but on this weekend it was made more urgent as the storm’s winds neared, reached, and then pulled back slightly under hurricane strength.

The normally full Essex harbor was nearly empty. The few remaining boats moored and facing south toward Long Island Sound and the approaching storm.

In the end, it was just a drill. Henri weakened as it hit land and spun off to the east of the Connecticut River and toward Cape Cod. By Tuesday, the sun came up again over the harbor, but only for a time.

DP - August 2021