NOVA SCOTIA (Canada): The Lee storm system made landfall in the western part of Canada’s Nova Scotia province on Saturday, unleashing hurricane-force winds that caused widespread power outages and toppled trees.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Lee made landfall on Long Island, a small island southwest of Halifax, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h).
Earlier on Saturday, the NHC had warned of strong winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rains affecting parts of New England and Atlantic Canada.
In Nova Scotia, approximately 144,000 people were left without power as the strong winds brought down trees. Neighboring New Brunswick also faced power outages, with 37,000 residents affected.
Matt Drover of the Nova Scotia electric utility reported that while some power had been restored, deteriorating conditions, especially with winds exceeding 80 km/h, were making it unsafe for crews to work. Wind speeds had surpassed 100 km/h in some western areas and exceeded 90 km/h in downtown Halifax, leading to the closure of Halifax airport.
Authorities in Halifax, one of Canada’s largest ports, urged residents to stay at home and avoid sightseeing. Mayor Mike Savage emphasized that the worst of the storm had not yet hit the city.
Nova Scotia police issued warnings against drivers heading to the coast to watch the waves, citing the danger involved.
The Canadian Hurricane Center had initially projected that Lee would make landfall in Nova Scotia after 3 p.m. ADT (1800 GMT) or later in New Brunswick with winds below hurricane force. However, the storm arrived faster and with slightly greater intensity than expected, according to Kyle Leavitt, in charge of emergency services in New Brunswick.
There is a possibility that Lee could move into the Bay of Fundy, a body of water separating the two provinces known for having one of the world’s highest tides, with tide differences of up to 12 meters (39 feet) or 16 meters at the bay’s head.
Lee is also expected to bring rainfall ranging from 2 to 5 inches (5 cm to 12.5 cm). In anticipation of the storm’s impact, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Maine and Massachusetts, offering federal assistance to these states.
Lee had been a powerful hurricane over the Atlantic for over a week, briefly posing a threat to Bermuda but ultimately sparing land areas. This marks the second consecutive year that a significant storm has made its way to Canada, following Hurricane Fiona’s impact on eastern Canada a year ago.
