Hurricane Lee tracker: Alerts issued across coastal New England as storm pivots north

Hurricane and Tropical Storm watches were issued for much of coastal New England on Wednesday as Hurricane Lee pivots north.

Lee weakened to a Category 2 storm in the Atlantic today but remained “large and dangerous”, according to forecasters.

The storm is 380 miles (610km) south-southwest of Bermuda with conditions expected to deteriorate on the island’s beach areas by Thursday morning.

“On the forecast track, the center of Lee will pass west of Bermuda Thursday and Thursday night and then approach the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada Friday and Saturday,” the National Hurricane Center reported.

Forecasters said it’s possible that Lee will make landfall in Nova Scotia as a tropical storm on Sunday.

A Hurricane Watch was issued for portions of down-east Maine from Stonington to the US-Canada border.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for a large area of coastal New England from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine, including Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. A Storm Surge Watch was issued for Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Behind Lee is Hurricane Margot, the fifth hurricane of the 2023 season, which is “forecast to meander over the North Atlantic during the next few days”.

Key Points

• Latest update on Lee: Bermuda under tropical storm warning

• Map of Hurricane Lee as storm expected to make northward turn

• The hurricane’s projected path

• Storm Margot strengthens into hurricane

When will Hurricane Lee reach New England?

08:30 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Lee’s winds could begin to buffet portions of New England as early as Friday as the storm’s centre is expected to pass close to the region’s southeast before barrelling near or over Maine and Atlantic Canada over the weekend as a “large and dangerous cyclone”, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Though the storm – now a Category 2 hurricane – is expected to weaken as it approaches, it will still have a massive radius of damaging winds that will be significantly felt along coastal New England and Canada’s Atlantic provinces.

“Hurricane conditions, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding are possible in portions of eastern Maine on Saturday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The area is under a hurricane watch.

“Life-threatening” storm surge flooding could inundate parts of southeastern Massachusetts late Friday and Saturday, the agency said.

Tropical storm conditions expected in Bermuda 'in a few hours'

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

The National Hurricane Center has warned of tropical storm conditions in Bermuda ‘in a few hours’, in its latest advisory issued 2am ET.

The Hurricane could bring heavy rainfall and high tides to the island this morning, triggering localised flooding.

Here are the key messages from NHC:

Rain-soaked New England hit by likely tornado amid wild weather ahead of Hurricane Lee's arrival

06:37 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Lee barrelled north toward New England on Wednesday and threatened to unleash violent storms on the region just as Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities were dealing with tornado warnings and another day of heavy rain that opened up sinkholes and brought devastating flooding to several communities.

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for portions of Maine. A tropical storm watch was issued for a large area of coastal New England from parts of Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine, including Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

The National Weather Service in Boston said that looking at radar data and videos it appears likely that a tornado toppled trees and knocked down power lines in Rhode Island and Connecticut on Wednesday.

Rob Megnia, a meteorologist with the weather service, said they received reports of about 20 trees down in Killingly, Connecticut, and trees and power lines down in Foster, Rhode Island.

The agency said it would survey the storm damage in both states on Thursday to help determine the tornado's strength, maximum wind speed and its path.

Emergency sirens could be heard late Wednesday afternoon in parts of Providence, Rhode Island, as cellphones pinged with a tornado warning.

One bumpy ride

04:59 , Louise Boyle

The 403rd Wing of the US Air Force Reserve Command, otherwise known as the “Hurricane Hunters”, shared a video of their aerial weather reconnaissance of Hurricane Lee this past weekend.

New England braces for more rain after hourslong downpour left communities flooded

04:02 , Louise Boyle

More heavy rain was in the forecast Wednesday in New England, where residents were cleaning up after downpours dropped nearly 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in six hours and flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The rainfall was a “200-year event,” said Matthew Belk, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston.

Two communities declared a state of emergency and officials ordered evacuations out of concern for a dam listed in poor condition.

Rain from Hurricane Lee didn’t contribute to Monday’s flooding but could inundate parts of the coastal Northeast during the weekend, forecasters said.

Read more

New England braces for more rain after hourslong downpour left communities flooded

What is Hurricane Lee’s ‘cone of uncertainty’?

03:00 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee is tearing across the Atlantic bringing strong winds and dangerous currents to parts of the Caribbean, before it is expected to pivot and travel up the US East Coast, potentially making landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada on Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center graphic below shows the probable path of Hurricane Lee. Areas under a hurricane warning are marked in red; hurricane watch in pink; tropical storm warning in blue; and tropical storm watch in yellow. The orange circle shows the current position of the cyclone’s center.

However NHC tropical cyclone forecast tracks have room for error, the agency notes.

This uncertainty is conveyed by the track forecast “cone” - the solid white and stippled white areas in the graphic.

The solid white area depicts the track forecast uncertainty for days 1-3 of the forecast.

The stippled area depicts the uncertainty on days 4-5.

The entire five-day path of the center of the tropical cyclone will remain within the cone about 60-70 per cent of the time, according to historical data.

National Weather Service

‘Peak’ Atlantic hurricane season

02:04 , Louise Boyle

Last Sunday was the climatological peak of Atlantic hurricane season with conditions ripe for tropical storms and hurricanes.

This week has seen considerable action with two hurricanes - Lee and Margot - currently swirling across the Atlantic.

At “peak” season, ocean waters are typically at their highest temperatures, and the shearing winds which suffocate storms decline to a minimum, creating the perfect conditions to generate powerful cyclones.

‘Rapid intensification’ of more storms likely as ocean waters warm

01:05 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee is in rare company. Only two recorded storms – Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Felix in 2007 – strengthened faster than Lee over a 24-hour period.

Lee developed from a Cat 1 to a Cat 5 last week before slowly weakening to its current Cat 2 status (although it remains a “large and dangerous” storm, according to the National Weather Service).

Brian McNoldy, from the University of Miami, told NBC News that warm conditions in the Atlantic were ripe for the storm’s rapid intensification.

The “vertical wind shear was very low and the water temperature under it was very warm,” he said. Lee “took full advantage of both”, he added.

In 2022, Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified over two separate periods before striking Florida as a Category 4 storm. Last Last month, Hurricane Idalia recently strengthened from Cat 1 to Cat 4 within 24 hours.

“It’s a huge problem, and the past is not a good guide to what we should expect going forward,” Jeff Masters, a former hurricane scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told NBC.

Watch: Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours

Thursday 14 September 2023 00:02 , Louise Boyle

‘Not taking any chances'

Wednesday 13 September 2023 23:02 , Louise Boyle

While the most severe impacts of Hurricane Lee were forecast for New England and Atlantic Canada this weekend, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that she is “not taking any chances” and deploying the National Guard.

“It’s too early to predict how Hurricane Lee will impact New York, but we’re not taking any chances,” Governor Hochul posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’ve deployed [the New York National Guard] on Long Island & directed agencies to prepare emergency response assets. Please watch the forecast & be ready to act, if necessary, to stay safe.”

Watch: Hurricane Lee inches closer to New England

Wednesday 13 September 2023 22:33 , Louise Boyle

What to know about renters insurance and what it does and doesn’t cover

Wednesday 13 September 2023 22:02 , Louise Boyle

When the unexpected happens — whether fire, hail, or human error — renters insurance can provide much-needed stability.

But many choose not to purchase coverage, including in places most frequently and hardest hit by natural disasters, new research shows.

Read more

What to know about renters insurance and what it does and doesn't cover

Watch: How does Hurricane Lee compare to past hurricanes that have struck New England?

Wednesday 13 September 2023 21:29 , Louise Boyle

US sets record for billion-dollar weather disasters in a year — and there’s still 4 months to go

Wednesday 13 September 2023 21:00 , Louise Boyle

The deadly firestorm in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia’s surge helped push the United States to a record number of weather disasters that cost $1 billion or more in 2023. And there’s still four months to go on what’s looking more like a calendar of calamities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday that there have been 23 weather extreme events in America that cost at least $1 billion this year through August, eclipsing the year-long record total of 22 set in 2020. So far this year’s disasters have cost more than $57.6 billion and claimed at least 253 lives.

And NOAA’s count doesn’t yet include Tropical Storm Hilary’s damages in hitting California and a deep drought that has struck the South and Midwest because those costs are still to be totaled, said Adam Smith, the NOAA applied climatologist and economist who tracks the billion-dollar disasters.

Read more

US sets record for billion-dollar weather disasters in a year -- and there's still 4 months to go

What is Hurricane Lee’s ‘cone of uncertainty’?

Wednesday 13 September 2023 20:30 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee is tearing across the Atlantic bringing strong winds and dangerous currents to parts of the Caribbean, before it is expected to pivot and travel up the US East Coast, potentially making landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada on Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center graphic below shows the probable path of Hurricane Lee. Areas under a hurricane warning are marked in red; hurricane watch in pink; tropical storm warning in blue; and tropical storm watch in yellow. The orange circle shows the current position of the cyclone’s center.

However NHC tropical cyclone forecast tracks have room for error, the agency notes.

This uncertainty is conveyed by the track forecast “cone” - the solid white and stippled white areas in the graphic.

The solid white area depicts the track forecast uncertainty for days 1-3 of the forecast.

The stippled area depicts the uncertainty on days 4-5.

The entire five-day path of the center of the tropical cyclone will remain within the cone about 60-70 per cent of the time, according to historical data.

National Weather Service

Bermuda Government issues warning

Wednesday 13 September 2023 20:01 , Louise Boyle

The government of Bermuda warned citizens that Hurricane Lee “is a large storm and is a threat” on Wednesday morning.

“The closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs (3 days) is forecast to be 165 nm [nautical miles] to the west [at] 1am Fri, Sep 15, 2023,” officials wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

People were warned against swimming due to “life-threatening” rip currents and swells produced by the hurricane.

“Lastly Bermuda, again at all times, please keep safety at the forefront. As we know, serious storms by their very nature are unpredictable,” the message concluded.

Cyclone that devastated Libya is latest extreme event with some hallmarks of climate change

Wednesday 13 September 2023 19:30 , Louise Boyle

The Mediterranean storm that dumped torrential rain on the Libyan coast, setting off flooding that’s believed to have killed thousands of people, is the latest extreme weather event to carry some of the hallmarks of climate change, scientists say.

Daniel — dubbed a “medicane” for its hurricane-like characteristics – drew enormous energy from extremely warm sea water. And a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor that can fall as rain, experts said.

It’s difficult to attribute a single weather event to climate change, “but we know there are factors that could be at play” with storms like Daniel that make it more likely, said Kristen Corbosiero, an atmospheric scientist at the University at Albany.

Read more

Cyclone that devastated Libya is latest extreme event with some hallmarks of climate change

Hurricane Lee could make things worse in already sodden New England

Wednesday 13 September 2023 19:00 , Louise Boyle

Parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts were under a flash flood warning on Wednesday, with radar indicating storms and an expected rainfall rate of 2 to 4 inches (5-10 centimeters) an hour, the National Weather Service said. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in some areas.

Rain from Hurricane Lee didn’t contribute to the flooding earlier this week. But it could inundate parts of the coastal Northeast during the weekend, forecasters said. Lee is traveling north and could make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, possibly as a tropical storm, forecasters said.

Up to 300 people were evacuated by Tuesday morning in Leominster, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Boston, Mayor Dean Mazzarella said. He said the city has not seen such widespread damage since a 1936 hurricane. Most buildings downtown flooded and some collapsed. Rail service also was disrupted.

Leominster’s director of emergency management, Arthur Elbthal, said two dams out of 24 in the city sustained damage but held. He said the city is reinforcing them.

Belk said a trained spotter near Leominster recorded 9.5 inches (24 centimeters) of rain. The record for rainfall in a single day in Massachusetts was set Aug. 18, 1955, when Tropical Storm Diane dropped just over 18 inches (nearly 46 centimeters) in Westfield, Belk said.

Healey said she’s keeping a close eye on the forecast and how Hurricane Lee may affect the state as she toured flood damage in North Attleborough, about 55 miles (89 kilometers) south of Leominster.

“It was really scary, the amount of water that fell in just a short amount of time and the incredible devastation that it caused,” Healey said, adding she had reached out to the Biden administration, the state’s congressional delegation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.

Read more

New England braces for more rain after hourslong downpour left communities flooded and dams at risk

Satellites capture Hurricane Lee as the sun rises

Wednesday 13 September 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

The satellite program at Colorado State University has captured stunning footage of Hurricane Lee as the sun rose this morning in the western Atlantic.

The Category 3 storm is expected to remain “large and dangerous” until the weekend.

Watch: Which parts of the East Coast face the most danger from Hurricane Lee?

Wednesday 13 September 2023 18:01 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Margot stalls

Wednesday 13 September 2023 17:30 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Margot is not expected to move much over the next few days, according to the latest forecast.

The storm is packing 90mph winds and currently about 795 miles (1280km) west southwest of the Azores, a string of nine tiny islands in the north Atlantic.

Swells generated by Margot will begin to affect the Azores later on Wednesday and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions on beaches.

The current locations of Hurricane Lee and Hurricane Margot

Wednesday 13 September 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle

The latest from the US National Hurricane Center

Wednesday 13 September 2023 16:30 , Louise Boyle

The 11am (eastern) update on Hurricane Lee reports that it remains a Category 3 storm with winds near 115mph (185km/h) and higher gusts.

“Slow weakening is forecast during the next few days, however, Lee is likely to remain a large and dangerous hurricane into the weekend,” the agency reported.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 115miles (185km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 240miles (390km).

Flash flood warnings begin

Wednesday 13 September 2023 16:10 , Louise Boyle

Parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts were under a flash flood warning on Wednesday morning, with radar indicating storms and an expected rainfall rate of 2 to 4 inches (5-10 centimeters) an hour, the National Weather Service said.

Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in some areas. (Associated Press)

Watch: Beach conditions deteriorating as Hurricane Lee barrels northward

Wednesday 13 September 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

New England braces for more rain after hourslong downpour left communities flooded and dams at risk

Wednesday 13 September 2023 15:30 , Martha Mchardy

More heavy rain was in the forecast Wednesday in New England, where residents were cleaning up after downpours dropped nearly 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in six hours and flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The rainfall was a “200-year event,” said Matthew Belk, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston. Two communities declared a state of emergency and officials ordered evacuations out of concern for a dam listed in poor condition.

Rain from Hurricane Lee didn’t contribute to Monday’s flooding but could inundate parts of the coastal Northeast during the weekend, forecasters said.

Read more:

New England braces for more rain after hourslong downpour left communities flooded and dams at risk

US sets record for billion-dollar weather disasters in a year — and there’s still 4 months to go

Wednesday 13 September 2023 15:00 , Martha Mchardy

The deadly firestorm in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia’s watery storm surge helped push the United States to a record for the number of weather disasters that cost $1 billion or more. And there’s still four months to go on what’s looking more like a calendar of calamities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday that there have been 23 weather extreme events in America that cost at least $1 billion this year through August, eclipsing the year-long record total of 22 set in 2020. So far this year’s disasters have cost more than $57.6 billion and claimed at least 253 lives.

And NOAA’s count doesn’t yet include Tropical Storm Hilary’s damages in hitting California and a deep drought that has struck the South and Midwest because those costs are still to be totaled, said Adam Smith, the NOAA applied climatologist and economist who tracks the billion-dollar disasters.

Read more:

US sets record for billion-dollar weather disasters in a year -- and there's still 4 months to go

Lee likely to remain ‘large’ and ‘dangerous’ into the weekend, says National Hurricane Center

Wednesday 13 September 2023 14:30 , Martha Mchardy

Hurricane Lee is likely to remain “large” and “dangerous” into the weekend, the National Hurricane Center has said.

“Slow weakening is forecast during the next few days, however Lee is likely to remain a large and dangerous hurricane into the weekend,” the Center said.

“Lee’s expected post-tropical transition will not diminish potential wind, rain and coastal flooding impacts in New England and Atlantic Canada due to the system’s broad wind field.”

Hurricane Lee is expected to weaken in upcoming days as it enters cooler waters but wind, rain and flooding are still expected in New England and Atlantic Canada.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 115 miles (185 kilometers) from Lee’s center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 240 miles (390 kilometers), the center reported.

Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents in Lesser Antilles, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda and parts of the U.S. southeast coast. The conditions were expected to spread to the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada in upcoming days.

Hurricane Lee turns north on path that will take it past Bermuda as it aims for Atlantic Canada

Wednesday 13 September 2023 14:00 , Martha Mchardy

Hurricane Lee began to spin away from the northern Caribbean on Wednesday as the Category 3 storm aimed for Atlantic Canada and left big waves in its wake.

The storm was located about 475 miles (765 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda in the morning. It had winds of up to 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour) and was moving northwest at 6 mph (9 kph).

Lee was expected to eventually pass just west of Bermuda, prompting forecasters to issue a tropical storm watch for the island. Wind and heavy rainfall were expected to lash Bermuda starting late Wednesday or early Thursday, forecasters said.

Read more:

Hurricane Lee turns north on path that will take it past Bermuda as it aims for Atlantic Canada

Tropical storm conditions expected on Bermuda ‘early tomorrow’

Wednesday 13 September 2023 13:30 , Martha Mchardy

Tropical storm conditions are expected in Bermuda ‘early tomorrow,’ the National Hurricane Center has said.

It comes as a tropical storm warning was issued for Bermuda and the US East Coast, with heavy rainfall expected throughout Thursday.

Bermuda and the US East Coast are bracing for “life-threatening” rip currents, the center said.

The National Hurricane Center also said the risk of wind, coastal flooding and rain has increased for portions of New England and Atlantic Canada due to Hurricane Lee.

On the forecast track, the center of Lee will pass west of Bermuda on Thursday before approaching the coast of New England or Atlantic Canada late this week.

The National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday morning that Lee is now a “very large hurricane” and is producing large swells which will impact parts of the western Atlantic all week.

Hurricane Lee swirls through open waters on a path to Atlantic Canada

Wednesday 13 September 2023 13:00 , Martha Mchardy

Hurricane Lee whirled north of Puerto Rico on Tuesday as a Category 3 storm, with forecasters noting it would remain in open waters through this week while on a path to Atlantic Canada.

The storm was located 575 miles (925 kilometers) south of Bermuda. It had winds of up to 115 mph (185 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).

By Sunday, Lee was forecast to weaken into a tropical storm and likely make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, according to AccuWeather.

Read more:

Hurricane Lee swirls through open waters on a path to Atlantic Canada

Latest satellite image of Hurricane Lee

Wednesday 13 September 2023 12:30 , Martha Mchardy

In this satellite image provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration via NASA, Hurricane Lee continues its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch: Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

Wednesday 13 September 2023 12:00 , Martha Mchardy

Lee expected to make landfall in Canada

Wednesday 13 September 2023 11:30 , Martha Mchardy

Hurricane Lee is expected to make landfall in Canada as a tropical storm, forecasters have said.

Lee is set to hit Nova Scotia, Canada on Sunday, bringing winds and widespread flooding.

On the forecast track, the center of Lee will pass west of Bermuda on Thursday before approaching the coast of New England or Atlantic Canada late this week.

Dangerous surf and rip currents to continue affecting western Atlantic into the weekend

Wednesday 13 September 2023 10:49 , Martha Mchardy

Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to continue affecting areas around the western Atlantic into the weekend, the National Hurricane Center has said.

Portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and most of the East Coast will be affected throughout much of the week.

It comes as a tropical storm warning has been issued for Bermuda and the US East Coast, with heavy rainfall expected throughout Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday morning that Lee is now a “very large hurricane” and is producing large swells which will impact parts of the western Atlantic all week.

Hurricane Lee expected to weaken in upcoming days

Wednesday 13 September 2023 10:30 , Martha Mchardy

Hurricane Lee is expected to weaken in upcoming days as it enters cooler waters, the National Hurricane Center has said.

“Despite the weakening that is forecast, keep in mind that the expanding wind field of Lee will produce impacts well away from the storm center,” the center said.

Lee was generating dangerous surf and rip currents for the Lesser Antilles, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda and parts of the southeast U.S. coast. Those conditions were expected to soon spread to the U.S. East Coast.

“It remains too soon to know what level of additional impacts Lee might have along the northeastern U.S. coast and Atlantic Canada late this week and this weekend,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Latest pictures from Massachusetts after hit by 10 inches of rain

Wednesday 13 September 2023 10:00 , Martha Mchardy

Latest update on Lee: Bermuda under tropical storm warning

Wednesday 13 September 2023 09:30 , Rachel Sharp

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Bermuda and the US East Coast is bracing for “life-threatening” rip currents and dangerous surf as Hurricane Lee continues to chart its path across the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday morning that Lee is now a “very large hurricane” and is producing large swells which will impact parts of the western Atlantic all week.

Swells are affecting parts of the Lesser Antilles, the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, the agency said.

Meanwhile, dangerous surf and rip currents are affecting parts of the southeastern US coast, with conditions forecast to spread north along much of the East Coast and Atlantic Canada over the coming days.

Watch: Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

Wednesday 13 September 2023 04:51 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee’s path

Wednesday 13 September 2023 03:52 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee is expected to turn north later this week and forecasters suggested that it would make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada as a tropical storm on Sunday.

Winds and flooding also are expected to affect Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire and central and coastal Maine this weekend, forecasters said.

‘Not heading for NYC'

Wednesday 13 September 2023 02:50 , Louise Boyle

The New York Metro Weather account on X, formerly Twitter, had a warning for New Yorkers on Tuesday.

“Hurricane Lee is still not heading for NYC, despite what the clickbait articles and social media videos might be trying to tell you,” a post read.

“Here’s what we can expect as the storm passes by.”

One bumpy ride

Wednesday 13 September 2023 01:50 , Louise Boyle

The 403rd Wing of the US Air Force Reserve Command, otherwise known as the “Hurricane Hunters”, shared this video of their aerial weather reconnaissance of Hurricane Lee at the weekend.

Libya flood: 10,000 missing, 1,500 bodies recovered after Storm Daniel sends wall of water through city of Derna

Wednesday 13 September 2023 00:50 , Louise Boyle

Emergency workers uncovered more than 1,500 bodies in the wreckage of Libya’s eastern city of Derna on Tuesday, and it was feared the toll could spiral with 10,000 people reported still missing after floodwaters smashed through dams and washed away entire neighborhoods of the city.

The startling death and devastation wreaked by Mediterranean storm Daniel pointed to the storm’s intensity, but also the vulnerability of a nation torn apart by chaos for more than a decade.

The country is divided by rival governments, one in the east, the other in the west, and the result has been neglect of infrastructure in many areas.

Outside help was only just starting to reach Derna on Tuesday, more than 36 hours after the disaster struck. The floods damaged or destroyed many access roads to the coastal city of some 89,000. (Associated Press)

10,000 missing as deadly flood from Storm Daniel sweeps through Libyan city of Dernia

Massachusetts city gets 11 inches of rain, flooding homes, jeopardizing dam

Tuesday 12 September 2023 23:50 , Louise Boyle

Heavy rainfall has flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with one city declaring a state of emergency as water poured into homes, creating moats around their foundations and leading to boat rescues of residents. Concern about a dam listed in poor condition led to more evacuations.

More storms were in the forecast for Wednesday, and although it was still early, winds and flooding from Hurricane Lee were expected to affect Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire and central and coastal Maine during the weekend, forecasters said.

Up to 300 people were evacuated by Tuesday morning in Leominster, about 40 miles northwest of Boston, Mayor Dean Mazzarella said. That included residents of a high-rise apartment building and a nursing home. All schools were closed and two shelters were opened.

Read more

Heavy rain brings flash flooding in parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Flood watch for large parts of Massachusetts

Tuesday 12 September 2023 22:50 , Louise Boyle

A flood watch was issued from 11am on Wednesday into Thursday morning by the Boston office of the National Weather Service.

One to two inches of rain is expected across the area, although localized amounts up to 4 inches are possible. Flooding is likely and forecasters warned people not to drive through submerged streets or underpasses.

The warning came after central Massachusetts was pounded by several inches of rainfall on Monday leading states of emergency to be declared in the cities of Leominster and North Attleborough.

Margot makes five

Tuesday 12 September 2023 21:50 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Margot became the fifth named hurricane of the Atlantic season on Monday.

On Tuesday, it was located some 890 miles (1,430 kilometers) southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 85mph (140 kph) and was moving north at 12mph (19 kph).

The hurricane is forecast to remain over open waters. Regardless, Swells generated by Margot will begin to affect the Azores on Wednesday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Lee impacts coastal areas hundreds of miles from storm

Tuesday 12 September 2023 20:48 , Louise Boyle

Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents affecting the southeastern US coast from Tuesday due to Hurricane Lee and local emergency departments backed up those alerts.

“Pay attention to beach warning flags and do not enter the water in unsafe conditions,” warned the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Satellites capture the twin hurricanes

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:50 , Louise Boyle

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s satellites captured the twin storms of Lee and Margot swirling in the Atlantic today.

Hurricane Lee was seen just north of Puerto Rico, and Hurricane Margot was strengthening farther east. Lee is a powerful Category 3 storm and is expected to cause hazardous surf and rip conditions at beaches across the western Atlantic this week.

Watch: Hurricane Lee takes aim at Canada

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:31 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Here’s where Hurricane Lee and Hurricane Margot are tracking

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:47 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee’s path

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:37 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee is expected turn north later this week and forecasters suggested that it would make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada as a tropical storm on Sunday.

Winds and flooding also are expected to affect Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire and central and coastal Maine this weekend, forecasters said.

AP

Tropical Storm watch issued for Bermuda

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:10 , Louise Boyle

A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bermuda, the US National Hurricane Center reported in its late morning update.

Hazardous surf and rip current conditions are expected at beaches across the western Atlantic all week, the report added.

Satellites capture Lee... with Margot not far behind

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:43 , Louise Boyle