Hurricane Lee tracker update: Storm to hit New England and Canada as a post-tropical cyclone
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.
Key Points
Rain-soaked New England hit by likely tornado ahead of Hurricane Lee’s arrival
State of emergency declared in Maine as Lee approaches
Bermuda pounded by heavy surf from Hurricane Lee
Where is the storm currently?
When will Hurricane Lee reach New England?
Lee makes landfall in Nova Scotia
21:18 , Megan Sheets
Storm Lee made landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, as a post-tropical cyclone on Saturday afternoon at around 4pm, the National Hurricane Center announced.
It is said to have maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110kmph).
Post-Tropical Cyclone #Lee made landfall in Nova Scotia around 4 pm AST. See below for details. pic.twitter.com/BEWSR6VNfD
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 16, 2023
21:00 , Kelly Rissman
A meteorologist weighs in
Robert Grove, a meteorologist for ECCC Weather Newfoundland and Labrador, predicted on X that Lee would make landfall in Yarmouth County “within the next couple of hours.”
By the looks of latest satellite imagery, it looks like #Lee has made that NE turn and should make landfall in Yarmouth county within the next couple of hours.#NSStorm https://t.co/024RyeyQgV pic.twitter.com/Q1jrxnaP8e
— Robert Grove (@robertgwx) September 16, 2023
20:30 , Kelly Rissman
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.
Tree down in Southend Halifax which has brought down power lines. Right now over 30,000 people are without power in the city. #HurricaneLee @CTVAtlantic pic.twitter.com/El8UhJYAjN
— Hafsa Arif (@_HafsaArif) September 16, 2023
20:00 , Kelly Rissman
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.
19:40 , Kelly Rissman
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.
Hurricane Lee is providing an incredible sunset on Monhegan Island, Maine.#mewx #hurricanelee pic.twitter.com/1PrK6As54n
— Benjamin Williamson (@photographmaine) September 15, 2023
19:20 , Kelly Rissman
The forecasted timeline
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
18:59 , Kelly Rissman
Massachusetts lifts states of emergency
I’m relieved that the impacts of Hurricane Lee have been minimal across Massachusetts, so we’re lifting the states of emergency declared earlier this week.
I’m grateful for residents and public safety officials who have been responding to and preparing for severe weather and…— Maura Healey (@MassGovernor) September 16, 2023
18:45 , Kelly Rissman
A message from Maine’s Governor
MEMA warns that high winds from the storm, combined with full canopy trees and saturated ground, will result in downed trees. Avoid being on the roads if you can. If you must travel, avoid driving around downed trees or over downed wires and obey road closure signs and barriers. https://t.co/SEqgjzTblY
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) September 16, 2023
18:30 , Kelly Rissman
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.
18:07 , Kelly Rissman
Maine lobstermen trying to rescue damaged boat as storm threatens
VIDEO: Maine lobstermen taking a skiff to try and rescue a lobster boat damaged from #Lee in Bar Harbor
The waves and wind are relentless against the little skiff, but they’re desperate to protect their livelihood
📸@amlikethewind for @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/48C9trldfF— Marissa Parra NBC (@MarParNews) September 16, 2023
17:15 , Kelly Rissman
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.
16:44 , Kelly Rissman
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.
16:11 , Kelly Rissman
National Hurricane 11am Advisory
The center of Lee is forecast “to make landfall near or just east of the U.S./Canada border this afternoon. Lee is then expected to turn toward the northeast and move across Atlantic Canada tonight and Sunday,” the National Hurricane Center predicted.
It’s expected to “to be at or just below hurricane strength” when it makes landfall later today, and is supposed to weaken throughout the weekend.
Winds have lessened a bit from earlier this morning, and are now moving at 75mph as the storm is just 105 miles from Eastport, Maine.
“Environment Canada has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for Prince Edward Island, Magdalen Islands, and portions of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,” the advisory wrote. “The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued from Westport, RI to Portsmouth, NH, including Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”
15:45 , Kelly Rissman
Footage from Nova Scotia
Meteorologist Reed Timmer captured the storm scene from Baccaro Point lighthouse in Novia Scotia.
Live update from Baccaro Point lighthouse with powerful post-tropical cyclone Lee approaching with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Watch out for flying donair. Over 60,000 power outages in Nova Scotia already. @accuweather pic.twitter.com/gz5ZrwdvPt
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) September 16, 2023
15:14 , Kelly Rissman
Millions under storm watch as Lee threatens to hit the east coast
Millions are under storm watch as Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee is forecast to brush the New England coast before making landfall later Saturday in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, which along with New Brunswick will see the brunt of it.
But Lee’s effects were expected to be felt over an immense area. The National Hurricane Center predicted hurricane-force winds extending more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Lee’s center with lesser but still dangerous tropical storm-force gusts up to 345 miles (555 kilometers) miles outward.
14:45 , Kelly Rissman
According to an 8am advisory from the National Hurricane Centre...
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
New Brunswick from the U.S./Canada border to Point Lepreau, including Grand Manan Island
Nova Scotia from Digby to Ecum Secum
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
Westport Massachusetts northward to the U.S./Canada border
Martha’s Vineyard
Nantucket
New Brunswick from the U.S./Canada border to Fort Lawrence, including Grand Manan Island
New Brunswick from Shediac to Tidnish
Nova Scotia from Fort Lawrence to Point Tupper
14:15 , Kelly Rissman
Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee is expected to make landfall on Saturday
Post-Tropical Cyclone #Lee Advisory 44A: Lee Expected to Make Landfall Later Today. Strong Winds, Coastal Flooding, and Heavy Rains Already Occurring in Portions of New England and Atlantic Canada. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 16, 2023
Hurricane Lee expected to be a ‘large and dangerous storm’ when it reaches New England and Atlantic Canada
14:00 , Graig Graziosi
The National Hurricane Centre warned on Friday that Hurricane Lee would arrive in New England and Atlantic Canada as a “large and dangerous storm.”
The centre reported on Friday that Hurricane Lee was continuing to move further away from Bermuda and closer to New England and Atlantic Canada.
The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 105mph(165km/h) with tropical storm-force winds extending outward up to 320 miles (520km) when it reaches eastern New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.
Sinkhole swallows cars in wake of Massachusetts flooding in Massachusetts
13:00 , Graig Graziosi
A trio of cars were left dangling on the edges of a sinkhole outside a dealership in Massachusetts following severe flooding in the area earlier this week.
The sinkhole opened up in the city of Leominster after heavy rains destabilised the ground and opened up a 15-foot deep chasm.
Public works crews expressed concerns that the flood and subsequent sinkhole might have weakened the foundation of a home near the affected area. The couple living in the house were forced to leave on Monday night.
READ MORE
Sinkhole swallows cars in wake of devastating flooding in Massachusetts
WATCH: Hurricane Lee leaves a fingerprint on the Outer Banks
12:00 , Graig Graziosi
Lee downgraded to ‘post-tropical’ storm
11:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Storm Lee has become a post-tropical cyclone as it approaches Nova Scotia but it is still producing hurricane-force winds, the US National Hurricane Center said on Saturday.
According to the 5am update, winds were still gusting at 8mph.
Storm Lee is about 220 miles from Eastport, Maine and 230 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is moving north-northeast at the speed of 25 mph.
Earth is outside its ‘safe operating space for humanity’ on most key measurements, study says
11:00 , Graig Graziosi
Earth is exceeding its “safe operating space for humanity” in six of nine key measurements of its health and two of the remaining three are headed in the wrong direction, a new study has said.
Earth’s climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient pollution and “novel” chemicals (human-made compounds like microplastics and nuclear waste) are all out of whack, a group of international scientists said in the journal Science Advances.
Only the acidity of the oceans, the health of the air and the ozone layer are within the boundaries considered safe and both ocean and air pollution are heading in the wrong direction, the study said.
“We are in very bad shape,” said study co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
“We show in this analysis that the planet is losing resilience and the patient is sick.”
Read more
Earth is outside its ‘safe operating space for humanity’, study says
Hurricane Lee projected to make landfall in Nova Scotia
10:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Hurricane Lee is projected to make landfall in Nova Scotia sometime after 3pm ADT or perhaps later in New Brunswick with winds below hurricane force, according to the Canadian Hurricane Center.
The potential path could take the storm right into the Bay of Fundy, which separates the two provinces and has one of the highest tides in the world, with the difference between high and low tide as much as 12 metres.
The US National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for hundreds of miles of coastline from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia, affecting some nine million people.
“We encourage all of those in the path of this large and dangerous storm to remain alert,” the White House said as president Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Maine.
The enormity of Hurricane Lee on display thanks to satellite photos
10:00 , Graig Graziosi
Hurricane Lee latest update
09:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Hurricane Lee was located about 250 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory.
It was gusting at a speed of 80mph on its path that could lead to landfall in Nova Scotia, possibly as a tropical storm.
“On the forecast track, the center of Lee will continue to approach the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada through Saturday,” the hurricane centre said.
“Lee is then expected to turn toward the north-northeast and northeast and move across Atlantic Canada Saturday night and Sunday.”
Tropical Depression 15 likely to become Hurricane Nigel in coming days
09:00 , Graig Graziosi
The National Hurricane Centre said Tropical Depression 15, which formed Friday morning in the Atlantic Ocean, would likely become Hurricane Nigel, and had the potential to develop into a major storm in the coming days.
The storm is expected to stay out at sea — much like Hurricane Margot, which is still churning in the Atlantic — the storm is the third hurricane in as many weaks to spin up.
“Through September 13, the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is above average for all tropical cyclone parameters that we track at Colorado State University,” hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach tweeted earlier this week.
Biden approves emergency declaration for Main ahead of Hurricane Lee landfall
08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Joe Biden on Friday approved the emergency in Main as Hurrican Lee approached the north-eastern part of the country.
About seven million people are now under tropical storm warnings across New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.“I thank President Biden for his swift approval of my request for an Emergency Disaster Declaration, which will give us access to additional resources as we work to keep Maine people safe during this storm,” said Maine governor Janet Mills.
“I continue to strongly urge all Maine people, especially those Down East, to take the necessary precautions to stay safe as Hurricane Lee moves closer.”
The president’s approval authorises the federal department of homeland security and emergency management agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.
08:00 , Graig Graziosi
How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England?
Well, the cold North Atlantic may decide that.
New England is known for its fickle weather, powerful nor’easters and blizzards.
Destructive hurricanes, however, are relatively rare and typically don’t pack the same punch as tropical cyclones that hit the southeast.
Here’s why the geography matters when it comes to Lee’s likely impact on the region.
READ MORE
How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England? The cold North Atlantic may decide that
East Coast states prepare for Lee landfall
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Massachusetts governor Maura Healey joined Maine in declaring a state of emergency and asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue a pre-disaster emergency declaration.
She also activated up to 50 National Guard members to help with storm preparations, including operating highwater vehicles to respond to flooded areas.
“As we’ve seen in recent weeks, severe weather is not to be taken lightly. Flooding, wind damage, downed trees, tree limbs — all these things create real hazards and problems for people,” Ms Healey said.
East Hampton, New York, barred swimming and, in at least some places, even walking on beaches because of dangerous surf.
Caution tape was strung up along the edge of the sand at the tony second-home community’s picturesque Main Beach, where waves already were roiling Friday afternoon, News12 Long Island reported.
In Rhode Island, governor Dan McKee said crews were working to secure the iconic 11-foot-tall “Independent Man” statue atop the State House dome. Workers wanted to safeguard the 500-pound statue against the storm’s wind and rain after a drone recently captured footage showing damage to the base.
In Maine, where people are accustomed to damaging winter nor’easters, some brushed aside the coming Lee as something akin to those storms only without the snow.
“We fear nor’easters up here more than the remnants of a tropical storm,” Andrea Silverthorne, who works in reception and reservations at the Inn on the Wharf in Lubec, Maine’s easternmost town, told the Associated Press.
07:00 , Graig Graziosi
Hurricane Lee to strike weather-worn New England after heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes
After a deluge of rain, flooding, sinkholes and tornadoes this week, New England is about to face Hurricane Lee.
As the Category 1 system impacted Bermuda, Maine was under its first hurricane watch in 15 years and a state of emergency declared Thursday by state governor Janet Mills. The water-logged region prepared for 20ft waves offshore and winds of up to 80mph, along with more rain.
The hurricane watch applied to eastern Maine, while the rest of the state and an area extending south through Massachusetts was under a tropical storm warning. Powerful winds and coastal flooding were expected to arrive on Friday afternoon in southern New England and spread north.
Although Lee did not contribute to the flooding that hit New England earlier in the week, it threatened to exacerbate conditions in a region that is already waterlogged.
The Coast Guard and emergency management agencies warned New England residents to be prepared, and utility companies brought in reinforcements to deal with any power outages.
Read more:
Hurricane Lee to strike weather-worn New England after heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes
Canadian PM convenes meeting to discuss Hurricane Lee
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Prime minister Justin Trudeau on Friday convened the incident response group, which meets only to discuss events with major implications for Canada.
Consisting of Cabinet ministers and senior officials, it was previously convened over events including the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the record wildfire season this year.
Ian Hubbard, a meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Hurricane Centre, told the Associated Press that Lee won’t be anywhere near the severity of the remnants of Hurricane Fiona, which washed houses into the ocean, knocked out power to most of two provinces and swept a woman into the sea a year ago.
But it was still a dangerous storm. Kyle Leavitt, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Management Organization, urged residents to stay home, saying, “nothing good can come from checking out the big waves and how strong the wind truly is”.
Hurricane Lee in images: A surfer takes advantage of waves produced by the storm
06:00 , Graig Graziosi
Surfers in New York and New England took their boards out one last time on Friday before Hurricane Lee arrives in the region on Saturday.
16:53 , Kelly Rissman
Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee Causing Power OutagesIn Nova Scotia, over 130,000 people were without power on Saturday, while in New Brunswick over 40,000 people were dealing with power outages.
“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.
WATCH: Maritimers buckle down for Hurricane Lee
04:59 , Graig Graziosi
Residents of Canada’s Maritime Providences prepared Friday for Hurricane Lee, which is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
Watch how they prepare for the storm below.
Coastal Maine could see 15-feet high waves due to Hurricane Lee
04:33 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The storm is projected to be more than 400 miles wide with tropical-storm-force winds when it reaches land, creating worries of power outages in Maine, the nation's most heavily forested state, where the ground is saturated and trees are weakened from heavy summer rains.
Lee remained a hurricane with 80mph winds at night as it headed toward New England and eastern Canada with 20-foot ocean swells, strong winds and rain.
Forecasters said there would be winds topping 40mph across the region, with peak winds reaching upward of 65mph ahead of landfall expected today.
While landfall was projected for nearby Nova Scotia, the Category 1 system was big enough to cause concerns over a wide area even if it weakens to a tropical storm.
Parts of coastal Maine could see waves up to 15-feet high crashing down, causing erosion and damage, and the strong gusts will cause power outages, said Louise Fode, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Maine.
As much as 5 inches of rain was forecast for eastern Maine, where a flash flood watch was in effect.
NOAA model shows Hurricane Lee’s predicted trajectory
04:00 , Graig Graziosi
The NOAA has released a new trajectory model showing the predicted path Hurricane Lee will take when it makes landfall near the US and Canadian borders on Saturday.
Hurricane Lee is a Category 1 storm, and is expected to bring high winds and strong storm surges to the region.
How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England?
03:49 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
New England is known for its fickle weather, powerful nor’easters and blizzards. Destructive hurricanes, however, are relatively rare and typically don’t pack the same punch as tropical cyclones that hit the Southeast.
New England, in the crosshairs of Hurricane Lee, is usually protected from the worst of a hurricane’s wrath by the cold waters of the North Atlantic, and that’s expected to help reduce Lee to a tropical storm by the time it arrives by today morning
A number of factors determine the path and strength of a hurricane. But the warm waters that can strengthen a hurricane are typically south of Cape Cod. North of there, the Atlantic waters are much colder
More here.
How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England? The cold North Atlantic may decide that
More than 3 million people under hurricane or tropical storm watches
03:00 , Graig Graziosi
More than 3 million people between New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces are under either tropical storm or hurricane watches as Hurricane Lee moves closer to landfall.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
The storm is forecast to produce winds of up to 75mph (121km/h) in the affected region.
CBS News senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson predicted that the Maritime Provinces would see the worst of the storm, but noted that 15 foot waves would likely batter New England as the storm moves through.
‘Today is the last day to prepare’ warns meteorologist as Hurricane Lee closes in on New England
02:00 , Graig Graziosi
Stephanie Abrams, a meteorologist with The Weather Channel, warned residents of New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces that today was the “last day to prepare” before Hurricane Lee arrives with strong winds, 2 to 4 inches (50-100ml) of rain, and signficant storm surges.
“Today is the last day to preparshe told CBS Mornings on Friday. “Conditions go downhill tonight, and tomorrow, Lee will be battering parts of New England. The strongest winds are expected to be along the coast.”
Hurricane Lee is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
WATCH: Hurricane Lee and travel impacts
01:00 , Graig Graziosi
Nasa reveals how much hotter 2023 summer was than average
Saturday 16 September 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi
Warming seas, caused by the fossil fuel-driven climate criss, have helped to produce more severe hurricanes in recent years.
As Hurricane Lee closes in on New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces, NASA has marked 2023 as the hottest year on record, The Independent’s Stuti Mishra reports.
Earth recorded its hottest summer on record this year, data from the American space agency Nasa and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) confirmed in new maps that reveal how quickly the world is heating up.
The last three months had the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest winter in the Southern Hemisphere, Nasa and Noaa said on Wednesday in a release.
READ MORE
This was the hottest summer ever recorded on Earth, Nasa map reveals
Rhode Island works to secure “Independent Man” statue atop the capitol before Hurricane Lee arrives
Friday 15 September 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi
Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island told the Associated Press that crews were working to secure the state’s iconic 11-foot-tall “Independent Man” statue above the State House dome on Friday before Hurricane Lee’s winds blow in on Saturday.
The 500-pound statue was shored up against the storm’s rain and winds.
Crews work atop the Rhode Island State House to secure the “Independent Man” statue and its base, revealed by drone footage to be “separating” from the dome. This was not part of the exterior restoration work, says @GovDanMcKee - cost is yet to be determined. -SK #WPRO pic.twitter.com/Oc9GXJXCmH
— NewsTalk 99.7 & AM 630 WPRO (@wpro) September 15, 2023
Beaches close ahead of Hurricane Lee
Friday 15 September 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi
East Hampton, New York, shuttered its beaches on Friday ahead of Hurricane Lee.
Swimming — and in some cases even walking — at the beach was prohibited due to the dangerous surf rolling in as a result of the storm.
Local officials put up caution tape along the sand at Main Beach to ward off any last minute swimmers before the storm’s effects are felt in full, accoridng to News12 Long Island.
Rough surf spotted off the coast of North Carolina as Hurricane Lee makes it way north
Friday 15 September 2023 21:47 , Graig Graziosi
An X/Twitter user captured video of rough surf off the coast of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, stirred up by the churning of Hurricane Lee.
The storm is barreling north, where it is expected to make landfall on Saturday near the US-Canada border.
Surfers in New England and the Maritime Provinces have taken advantage of the 10 to 15 foot waves produced by the storm, but local emergency officials have warned that residents should seek shleter before the storm arrives in earnest late tomorrow afternoon.
This is the inlet at Wrightsville Beach North Carolina! The back of Hurricane Lee is packing a wallop as the tough surf crashes into the jetty🌊 The coastline is taking a beating with significant beach erosion! #HurricaneLee pic.twitter.com/vOIBhZOCyS
— 💙Rocco DiBari💙 (@G12Rocco) September 15, 2023
Canadian Prime Minister calls incident response group as Canadian residents warned to stay home
Friday 15 September 2023 21:19 , Graig Graziosi
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the nation’s incident response group on Friday ahead of Hurricane Lee.
The group consists of Cabinet ministers and senior officials, and is only convened ahead of or in response to events with major implications for the nation.
The storm is expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces as well as high winds and substantial storm surges.
Residents in Canada were urged not to let curiosity get the best of them and instead stay inside and safe during the storm.
“Nothing good can come from checking out the big waves and how strong the wind truly is,” Kyle Leavitt, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Management Organization, said Friday, according to the Associated Press.
WATCH: North Carolina prepares for Hurricane Lee
Friday 15 September 2023 21:00 , Graig Graziosi
Utility workers pour into New England as residents pull out ahead of Hurricane Lee
Friday 15 September 2023 20:38 , Graig Graziosi
Utility workers poured into New England on Friday in preparation for Hurricane Lee’s landfall on Saturday. The outer rain bands are already approaching the region, and forecasters have predicted high winds could topple powerlines and cause outages when the storm arrives.
At the same time, residents in coastal communities like Bar Harbor, Maine are pulling out of the area ahead of the storm. Mariners are returning home and many have reportedly been pulling their boats out of marinas in anticipation of storm surges resulting from the hurricane, according to the Associated Press.
Hurricane Lee’s outer rain bands are approaching New England
Friday 15 September 2023 20:13 , Graig Graziosi
The outer rain bands of Hurricane Lee are on their way to New England as the storm barrels towards the east coast of the US and Canada.
The hurricane is expected to dump between 2 and 4 inches (50-100ml) of rain in eastern Maine, western Nova Scotia, and portions of New Brunswick.
The percipitation — following on the heels of a previous storm system that rolled over the region — could produce small stream and localised flooding in the region.
Hurricane Lee expected to be a ‘large and dangerous storm’ when it reaches New England and Atlantic Canada
Friday 15 September 2023 19:41 , Graig Graziosi
The National Hurricane Centre warned on Friday that Hurricane Lee would arrive in New England and Atlantic Canada as a “large and dangerous storm.”
The centre reported on Friday that Hurricane Lee was continuing to move further away from Bermuda and closer to New England and Atlantic Canada.
The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 105mph(165km/h) with tropical storm-force winds extending outward up to 320 miles (520km) when it reaches eastern New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.
Satellite images capture the first bands of Hurricane Lee moving across New England and Maritime Provinces
Friday 15 September 2023 18:59 , Graig Graziosi
The GOESEast satellite captured images of Hurricane Lee’s bands moving across New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces on Friday.
Both Maine and Massachusetts have issued states of emergency, with the latter activating its National Guard in preparation for the storm’s landfall on Saturday.
#GOESEast has been capturing absolutely stunning imagery of Hurricane #Lee today. That cirrus shield though .... pic.twitter.com/j3xMZGVbxB
— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) September 15, 2023
New NOAA shows Hurricane Lee’s predicted trajectory
Friday 15 September 2023 18:30 , Graig Graziosi
The NOAA has released a new trajectory model showing the predicted path Hurricane Lee will take when it makes landfall near the US and Canadian borders on Saturday.
Hurricane Lee is a Category 1 storm, and is expected to bring high winds and strong storm surges to the region.
Massachusetts declares state of emergency
Friday 15 September 2023 18:16 , Graig Graziosi
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared a state of emergency and has activated the National Guard ahead of Hurricane Lee’s arrival in the region later this evening.
The storm is continuing its push north in the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters believe that the eastern edge of the storm will brush Cape Cod and coastal Massachusetts on its way toward the easternmost Canadian provinces.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Cape Cod, the Islands, and coastal Massachusetts. Wind speeds are predicted to reach up to 60mph (97km/h) on Saturday.
The National Weather Service said heavy rains are not anticipated for that region.