“Treat this like a nor’easter but bigger”
We are still seeing the potential for Hurricane Lee to affect our region as it continues to make its way toward us. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated “Treat this like a nor’easter but bigger” CMP also reported they are preparing for a level 2 event. This means they are predicting over 320,000 customers to experience outages and could be several days before everyone is back online.
Governor Mills yesterday declared a State of Emergency in Anticipation of Hurricane Lee. To see more about this, please visit Maine.gov.
Current Situation:
This information is based on the latest updates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
- Hurricane conditions are possible across portions of Down East Maine.
- Tropical Storm conditions and coastal flooding are expected to begin in southern New England within the Tropical Storm Warning area this afternoon and spread northward along the coast of New England.
- Heavy rainfall from Lee may produce localized urban and small stream flooding across eastern New England.
- Strong winds could lead to downed trees and power lines. Leaves still on trees and saturated ground will make trees extra susceptible to strong winds.
National Hurricane Center
- Although the core winds have brought this storm down to a Cat 1, this is still a very large system.
- The hurricane watch has been taken down to a tropical storm.
- Effects from the storm are still projected to begin tonight with major impacts throughout the day tomorrow
Power Company’s
- CMP reports they are still preparing for a level 2 event meaning between 320,000 to 450,000 outages.
- Versant Power is preparing for a level 4 (60,000 outages)
NOAA (Caribou/Grey)
- Tropical storm warnings have been expanded into more of interior of Maine
- Hurricane Watch has been dropped & wind advisory for interior Western Maine issued
- Gusty winds are expected for all interior areas with gusts in the 40-50 mph range Saturday afternoon.
- Wind gusts 50 to 60 mph for the immediate coastline and islands
- Potential for heavy rain has remained steady with a focus on the Midcoast into Central Maine.
- Flash flooding and small stream rises are the primary threat.
Cone Chart
The cone chart indicates the potential path of the center of the hurricane, showing areas at risk.
Wind Chart
The tropical storm force wind chart provides insights into when and where we can expect tropical storm force winds and areas that may be affected.
Facility Check: Ensure that all facilities are inspected for potential vulnerabilities. This includes checking roofs, windows, and doors for any weak points that could be susceptible to high winds or flooding.
Secure Loose Objects: Ensure that any loose objects outside the facility are secured or moved indoors.
Backup Power: Make sure backup generators are operational, in case of power outages.
Communication: Prepare your communications and emergency operations teams. Ensure all staff have access to emergency contact information.
Stay Informed: Continue to monitor updates from NOAA, weather.gov, and other trusted sources for the latest information on the hurricane’s path and potent
Resources
Link to NOAA Hurricane Lee Advisories