Hurricane Lee advances towards US as warnings issued for New England
Storm Lee has been downgraded to a ‘post-tropical cyclone’ as it approaches Nova Scotia but it is still producing hurricane-force winds, as the storm is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
According to an 11am advisory by the National Hurricane Center, strong winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rain have already hit parts of New England and Canada. As of Saturday morning, the storm was about 105 miles from Eastport, Maine and 150 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia with maximum sustained winds moving at 75mph.
Although both Massachusetts and Maine previously declared states of emergency, the former lifted its declaration on Saturday after impacts were “minimal”, the governor said.
The Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for hundreds of miles of coastline from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia, affecting some nine million people.
Forecasters predicted winds topping 40mph across the region, with peak winds reaching upward of 65mph ahead of landfall.
Lee is expected to move across the border and impact Atlantic Canada on Saturday night and Sunday. Storm surge is also a threat to coastal areas, particularly if it occurs at high tide.
Lee has already caused problems — even before making landfall
A CTV Atlantic reporter captured some of the devastation already caused by the post-tropical cyclone in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 20:30
Post-tropical cyclone Lee is “very near” western Nova Scotia
The National Hurricane Center issued another update at 2pm, writing that the storm is just 80 miles from Eastport, Maine and 150 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The maximum sustained winds are moving at 70mph.
The center of Lee is forecast to “make landfall in Atlantic Canada later this afternoon,” and is expected “to be near hurricane strength” when it touches down, the hurricane center wrote.
Timing graphic for Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee
(National Hurricane Center)
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 20:00
The calm before the storm
As post-tropical cyclone Lee threatens to hit the East Coast and Canada, some appreciated the beautiful sunset ahead of the storm on Friday night.
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 19:40
Saturday morning: Heavy rains and strong winds are already affecting some regions in New England and Canada —hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect
Saturday afternoon: The storm is expected to make landfall as soon as “in the next few hours,” according to the National Hurricane Center director.
Saturday night: Lee is expected to move across the border into Canada tonight
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 19:20
President Biden Approves Massachusetts Emergency Declaration
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ordered Federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Lee from September 15 to September 17, 2023.
The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all 14 Massachusetts counties.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and sheltering support, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.Mr. E. Craig Levy, Sr. of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 18:30
Maine lobstermen trying to rescue damaged boat as storm threatens
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 18:07
Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee Causes Power Problems
In parts of Canada, residents are already suffering from power outages. On Saturday, over 100,000 people in Nova Scotia and over 40,000 in New Brunswick were dealing with no power.
“Crews have been able to restore power to some customers … however, conditions are getting worse. In many cases, especially when winds are above 80 km/h, it isn’t safe for our crews,” said Matt Drover of the Nova Scotia electric utility told Reuters.
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 17:15
An update from National Hurricane Center Director Dr Michael Brennan
Dr Brennan said that eastern Maine, southwestern Nova Scotia, and southern New Brunswick are likely to be impacted first — as soon as “in the next few hours.”
While the storm has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, Dr Brennan said that the storm still has “hurricane-force winds,” with some areas experiencing gusts from 50-90mph, depending on the area’s elevation.
He warned residents of Maine to “stay inside” for the next few hours or for the rest of the day, if possible.
Dr Brennan added that some areas are already experiencing “significant power outages.”
Watch the full update here.
Kelly Rissman16 September 2023 16:44
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