Atlantic Storm Lee made landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, on Saturday with sustained winds of 70 mph.
Strong winds from Lee — once a hurricane and now a post-tropical cyclone — toppled trees along the Maine coast, including one motorist’s death when a branch fell on his vehicle.
Lee formed in early September and grew into a Category 5 hurricane as it moved toward North America, with winds reaching 165 miles per hour. However, by the time the storm reached Nova Scotia, it had weakened to post-tropical storm levels, although winds were still similar to those of a Category 1 hurricane.
Because of Lee, power outages remain a major issue along the U.S.-Canada border. CBS News reported that nearly 200,000 customers were without power in Nova Scotia, while more than 100,000 were without power in Maine.
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Authorities in Searsport, Maine, reported that high winds on Saturday caused a large tree branch to fall on a vehicle on U.S. Highway 1. Power lines were also blown down by tree branches, requiring the power to be cut off before the driver could be rescued. deleted.
The 51-year-old driver later died in hospital. His identity had not been released as of press time.
The man’s death is believed to be the second death linked to Lee. Authorities in Fernandina Beach, Florida, say they believe they have discovered the body of a missing 15-year-old boy who was out swimming along the northeastern coast of Florida on Wednesday. Agencies had warned that Hurricane Lee would cause rough surf conditions in the area.
Before Lee fully reaches New England, Maine is under its first hurricane watch in 15 years, and Gov. Janet Mills declared a state of emergency on Thursday.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency on Friday as the state experienced severe flash flooding this week that created sinkholes and damaged homes.
In an advisory posted online Saturday night, the National Hurricane Center warned that tropical storms and coastal flooding are expected to continue along parts of the coast of Maine and Canada and spread northward.
“Heavy rainfall from Lee could cause localized urban and creek flooding in parts of eastern Maine and New Brunswick,” the government agency said.
The advisory from the National Hurricane Center adds: “Dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents will continue to affect the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Hispano through Sunday La Isla and Puerto Rico.”
