Hurricane Lee is making its presence known as it barrels its way towards coastal New England, eastern Canada, and Bermuda. What started as a Category 5 monster has now diminished to a Category 1 hurricane, but it still poses a significant threat to several regions.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a crucial update at 5 a.m. on Friday, sounding the alarm for potential hurricane and tropical storm conditions in eastern Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Residents in these areas are urged to prepare for possible downed trees and power outages as the storm approaches.
While Hurricane Lee is expected to transition into a post-tropical system by Saturday, it won’t go down without a fight. The storm is forecasted to maintain its size and ferocity as it reaches eastern New England and Atlantic Canada. Coastal flooding is a looming concern, with New England bracing for impacts on Friday afternoon and Atlantic Canada on Saturday.
Another threat on the horizon is heavy rainfall, which could result in localized urban and small stream flooding on Saturday night. The most significant downpour is expected in Maine, with the NHC predicting up to two inches of rainfall. Neighboring states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island might also experience some precipitation.
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To illustrate the flood risk, NHC flood maps indicate that areas like Nantucket, the Cape Cod Bay vicinity, and Portland, Maine, have a marginal chance of flooding, up to five percent. Meanwhile, areas farther north, including Houlton, Medway, and Presque Isle, face a slightly higher risk, with up to a 15 percent chance of flood surges.
Bermuda has already felt the impact of Hurricane Lee, enduring tropical storm conditions that caused power outages on the island. Thankfully, the storm has moved beyond Bermuda’s west coast and is currently traversing the Atlantic Ocean, headed north towards the northwestern United States and Atlantic Canada. Although it’s not expected to make landfall in the U.S., it’s projected to reach Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada as a post-tropical cyclone.
According to the NHC’s maps, Hurricane Lee’s core will be downgraded as it approaches land, anticipated to occur around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning. Canada isn’t taking any chances, as the Canadian Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia, aiming to ensure residents are well-prepared for the impending weather.
In response to the looming threat, President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Maine. This declaration empowers the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts, with the primary goal of safeguarding lives, property, and public health and safety, and averting a statewide catastrophe.
As Hurricane Lee’s path unfolds, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed through official channels and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and well-being in the face of this formidable storm.
