Atlantic storm Lee, a near-hurricane strength tempest, struck New England and Maritime Canada, wreaking havoc with destructive winds and relentless downpours. However, the latest reports indicate a glimmer of relief as forecasters cancel warnings and predict the storm’s imminent dissipation.
Lee’s Weakening Path
The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported on Sunday morning that Lee, now classified as a post-tropical cyclone, was situated approximately 135 miles west of Channel-Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland. With top sustained winds clocking in at 45 mph, and some higher gusts expected, the storm is on a path of gradual weakening, with a potential dissipation date set for Tuesday.
The Aftermath
In the aftermath of Lee’s fury, the skies cleared over Maine, allowing the state’s governor, Janet Mills, to suspend the state of emergency. Power outages have also seen a significant reduction, dropping from 11% to less than 5% during the height of the storm. In Canada, power was gradually being restored, with Nova Scotia reducing its outages from 27% to 14%.
Warnings Withdrawn
The U.S. National Hurricane Center and Canadian authorities made the decision to withdraw all tropical storm warnings, signaling an improvement in conditions. Storm surges, forecasted to reach up to 3 feet along the coastal areas, are expected to subside.
Tragic Incidents
While Lee caused widespread disruptions and damage, it also resulted in unfortunate incidents. A 51-year-old motorist in Searsport, Maine, lost his life after a tree limb fell on his vehicle on U.S. Highway 1 during high winds. Another driver, John Yoder, 23, suffered minor injuries when a tree brought down by Lee went through his windshield on Route 11 in Moro Plantation, Maine.
Exhausted Communities
Lee added to the challenges faced by communities still recovering from this summer’s wildfires and severe flooding. In Nova Scotia, coastal roads were inundated, and ferries ceased operations. Halifax Stanfield International Airport canceled all flights. Residents expressed their exhaustion at the relentless onslaught of natural disasters.
Comparisons to Notable Storms
Lee’s journey bears some resemblance to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, both transitioning from strong hurricanes to post-tropical cyclones before making landfall. However, the impact of Sandy far surpassed that of Lee, causing extensive damage and numerous casualties in New York and New Jersey. Lee is also notably less severe compared to Hurricane Fiona, which wreaked havoc on eastern Canada a year ago.
Uncommon for the Region
While destructive hurricanes are relatively uncommon so far north, the region has experienced extreme weather events in the past. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 remains a notable historical reference, with gusts reaching as high as 186 mph and sustained winds of 121 mph at Massachusetts’ Blue Hill Observatory.
As Lee continues to dissipate over Maritime Canada, communities can begin to rebuild and recover, knowing that they have weathered a significant storm, united in their resilience.
Intriguing Tidbits to Pique Your Curiosity
Forecasters cancel warnings as Lee begins to dissipate over Maritime …
In a Sign of Relief:
Forecasters delivered promising news over the weekend as the eye of the storm, Atlantic storm Lee, began to dissipate over Maritime Canada. Late Saturday, the center took the significant step of discontinuing the tropical storm warning that had been in place for the coast of Maine. As the clock ticked into late Sunday morning, a further announcement came – all tropical storm warnings for Canada were officially discontinued. Moreover, the impending storm surges, initially predicted to reach alarming heights of up to 3 feet along the coastal areas on Saturday, are now expected to subside, offering some respite from Lee’s fury as it weakens.
What happened to Storm Lee?
Storm Lee’s Path:
In the coastal town of BAR HARBOR, Maine, Atlantic storm Lee made an impactful entrance, striking with near-hurricane strength, unleashing destructive winds, and torrential rains upon New England and Maritime Canada. However, as the weekend unfolded, the storm’s grip began to loosen. Officials withdrew warnings, and optimistic predictions emerged, suggesting that Lee would gradually weaken and ultimately dissipate early in the upcoming week.
Where did a motorist travel through floodwaters a day after Storm Lee?
Motorist Navigates Floodwaters After Storm Lee
In the aftermath of Atlantic storm Lee’s passage through the region, a determined motorist found themselves navigating through floodwaters. This courageous journey unfolded a day after the storm’s impact, specifically on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, near Northeast Harbor, Maine. The road remained closed due to the lingering effects of Lee’s heavy rains and flooding.
How long will shipping disruption last in 2023?
Shipping Disruption in 2023:
The repercussions of Russia’s war in Ukraine have shattered any hopes of a swift recovery in supply chains. Experts are now cautioning that shipping disruption will extend well into 2023. According to a survey conducted by data firm Container xChange, a significant 41% of freight forwarders anticipate a more chaotic peak shipping season in the upcoming summer compared to the previous year. The lasting impacts of this disruption are becoming increasingly evident.
What happened in Nova Scotia during a state of emergency?
Nova Scotia’s Recovery from the State of Emergency:
After the havoc brought by the storm, Governor Janet Mills took a crucial step in Nova Scotia by suspending the state of emergency. Progress in power restoration was evident as fewer than 5% of electricity customers remained without power, marking a significant improvement from the 11% outage peak experienced during the storm’s height on Saturday. Meanwhile, across Canada, Nova Scotia saw a decline from 27% to 14% in power outages, with smaller numbers affected in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The region is slowly but steadily regaining its footing.
What Was the Impact of Storm Lee on Maritime Canada?
Storm Lee’s Impact on Maritime Canada:
Storm Lee, transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone, made its arrival in the Maritimes on September 16, 2023, leaving a substantial mark across the region. Nova Scotia bore the brunt of the system’s fury, enduring winds exceeding 115 km/h, resulting in power outages affecting over 160,000 residents. Alongside these powerful winds, Lee generated waves exceeding 10 meters just offshore, creating a dramatic and impactful scene along the coast.
