Atlantic Storm Lee Unleashes Damaging Winds and Surf on Maritime Canada and New England; One Fatality Confirmed in Maine

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Atlantic Storm Lee wreaked havoc across New England and parts of Maritime Canada, bringing with it severe winds, heavy rainfall, and turbulent surf conditions that resulted in fallen trees, inundated roads, and widespread power outages on Saturday. In Maine, a man lost his life when a falling tree limb struck his vehicle.

The expansive post-tropical cyclone made its initial landfall approximately 135 miles (215 kilometers) to the west of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, as reported by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. This location is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Eastport, Maine. Though nearing hurricane-level strength with winds at 70 mph (110 kph), the storm showed signs of weakening as it moved northward towards New Brunswick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

As it swept through Nova Scotia, Lee caused the suspension of ferry services and flooded numerous coastal roads, exacerbating the distress in a region already reeling from a summer marred by wildfires and significant flooding. Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the largest in the province, cancelled all flights due to the adverse weather conditions.

Boats in New England’s harbors and fishing communities were evacuated in anticipation of the storm, with residents taking precautionary measures.

Pam Lovelace, a council member in Halifax, articulated the regional sentiment, saying, “The populace is fatigued; the consecutive crises have been overwhelming.”

The storm’s expansive reach caused electrical disruptions hundreds of miles away from its core. As of midday Saturday, Maine reported that 11% of its electricity customers were without power. Similarly, power outages affected 27% of Nova Scotia, 8% of New Brunswick, and 3% of Prince Edward Island.

The storm’s wind force was so expansive that hurricane-strength winds were noted up to 140 miles (220 kilometers) from the storm’s epicenter, while tropical storm-force winds extended as far as 320 miles (515 kilometers), covering all of Maine and large portions of Maritime Canada.

A fatality occurred in Searsport, Maine, where a 51-year-old motorist was killed by a falling tree limb. This incident also resulted in live electrical wires being brought down, necessitating a power cut for the rescue operation. Police Chief Brian Lunt confirmed the man later died in a hospital.

Significant wave surges were noted along coastal areas, including waves expected to reach up to three feet (0.91 meters) in height, along with destructive wave action, according to the hurricane center’s report.

Though Lee spared some of Massachusetts’ most flood-prone areas, it did contribute to further distress in a region that had experienced a particularly wet summer. The storm’s strong winds caused already moisture-laden trees to fall, particularly in Maine, which is the most forested state in the U.S.

Emergency services and utility workers were mobilized across affected areas, including crews from outside the state, to restore services and begin repairs.

Sarah Thunberg, a National Weather Service meteorologist, observed that Lee closely resembled a nor’easter—a type of storm common in the area during the fall and winter months. These storms typically have a broader wind field compared to tropical systems.

The storm shared certain features with 2012’s Superstorm Sandy, though Lee is not expected to be nearly as catastrophic. Superstorm Sandy resulted in billions of dollars in damages and numerous fatalities in New York and New Jersey.

Destructive hurricanes of this magnitude are relatively uncommon in the northeastern region, with the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 cited as one of the most powerful storms to have impacted the area.

This report includes contributions from various correspondents, including Robert Bumsted in Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; Michael Casey in Boston; Rio Yamat in Las Vegas; Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska; Rob Gillies in Toronto; and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire.

Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the Republican leader of the Maine Legislature. He is known as Billy Bob Faulkingham.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Atlantic Storm Lee Impact

More about Atlantic Storm Lee Impact

• U.S. National Hurricane Center: Atlantic Storm Lee Update
• National Weather Service: Storm Lee Analysis and Warnings
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport: Flight Cancellations Due to Storm Lee
• Maine Emergency Services: Storm Lee Fatality and Recovery Efforts
• Maritime Canada Weather Updates: Impact of Atlantic Storm Lee
• Historical Storm Data: Comparison of Atlantic Storm Lee and Superstorm Sandy
• Public Safety Canada: Weather Emergency Preparedness
• Environment and Climate Change Canada: Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee Landfall
• Maine Department of Transportation: Road Closures and Advisories
• Nova Scotia Ferry Services: Suspension of Operations Due to Storm Lee