Boston Activates Seven Departments Ahead of Tropical Storm Henri Landfall

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston mayor outlines multi-department storm preparations for Tropical Storm Henri. At a Tuesday morning press briefing, the mayor was joined by Shumane Benford, Chief of Emergency Management; Dion Irish, Chief of Operations; Mariamma White Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space; and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods to detail city readiness measures ahead of a storm expected to bring damaging winds, flooding rain, and storm surge. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission activated its extreme weather operations center and cleared catch basins citywide, with officials flagging high tide — forecast around noon — as the peak flooding risk period; residents were given the direct line 617-989-7900 to report flooding. Public Works suspended all non-emergency roadway construction, Inspectional Services placed additional inspectors on standby at crane and scaffolding sites, and the Department of Neighborhood Development opened shelters for unhoused residents and positioned contractors for senior emergency home repairs. The mayor urged all residents to stay indoors, avoid downed power lines near standing water, and enroll in the Alert Boston emergency notification system at boston.gov/alerts.