Maritime residents should prepare for damaging winds, large waves, flooding and power outages as hurricane Lee is expected to transform into a vast and powerful “post-tropical depression” on Saturday after entering Canadian waters.
The Canadian Hurricane Center in Halifax said Thursday that the path of Lee could take the storm anywhere between southwest New Brunswick and southwest Nova Scotia. However, the immensity of the storm means its landfall point won’t mean much.
When Lee will transition from a Category 1 hurricane to a post-tropical depression, meteorologists say the weather phenomenon will remain a threat as it expands and retains much of its strength over an area stretching 300 kilometers from its center.
Environment Canada has issued hurricane watches for Digby, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties in southwestern Nova Scotia, where “hurricane force” winds could reach 120 km/h.
Likewise, a hurricane watch remains in effect for Grand Manan Island and the coastline of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, where gusts in the Bay of Fundy could also reach 120 km/h.
“These are the regions that will experience the strongest winds,” meteorologist Bob Robichaud said Thursday during a press briefing broadcast online. There will be many other areas in the Maritimes where it will be windy, but without damaging winds. »
The strongest winds are expected to down trees and cut power, the Center said.
Residents of southwestern Nova Scotia and those living near the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick are also being warned that much higher water levels could lead to localized flooding and dangerous surf.
Along the Atlantic coast, breaking waves are expected to reach four to six meters. Severe conditions are also expected around the Bay of Fundy, Gulf of Maine and the southwest maritime district of the Maritimes.
Large waves and storm surge could lead to coastal flooding during high tide around midday Saturday in Shelburne County and again during high tide late Saturday along the Nova Scotia coast of the county from Queens to eastern Halifax County.
“I prefer to be overprepared”
Meanwhile, lines for propane refills were widespread throughout the region. Along New Brunswick’s southern coast, in Saint George, residents flocked to the hardware store to pick up flashlights, batteries and candles.
Lindy Sullivan-Koteff, director of Boyd Bros. Home Hardware Building Centre, said the store had sold three generators on Thursday. Normally they sell one per month.
“A lot of customers got equipment today to prepare, to tie things up,” she said.
On Grand Manan, residents were picking up or tying up anything that could become a projectile in strong winds, said Melanie Sonnenberg, executive director of the island’s port authority.
“Storms are not uncommon here, but a hurricane force storm is a little different,” she said in an interview. So we’re thinking about what’s going to happen. »
Mme Sonnenberg said the local harbor captain was on the dock to make sure the boats and their belongings were secure. It was a difficult task because the ports are full because of preparations for the lobster fishing season, she explained.
“I’d rather be overprepared and disappointed than underprepared and overwhelmed,” she said. This is how everyone approaches the issue. »
At the Canadian Hurricane Center in Halifax, Robichaud said there was not much concern about storm surges around the Bay of Fundy because the storm’s arrival would not coincide with the highest tides of the month.
“We don’t anticipate any major problems,” he said. Given the intensity of the storm and its track, it does not appear to be too severe at the moment. »
As of Thursday afternoon, the Category 1 hurricane was west of Bermuda, producing sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour.
Precipitation expected from Friday
Meanwhile, tropical storm watches have been issued for the western half of Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick, including Saint John County, Fundy National Park and Moncton. These areas, which extend to Halifax, could experience winds of 60 km/h with gusts of up to 100 km/h.
Ahead of the storm, a separate weather system dumped rain across much of the region on Thursday. Further precipitation was expected on Friday.
“These bands are very difficult to predict, but it is important to know that they will present a risk of flooding well before the arrival of Lee. So far, almost 30mm of rain has fallen in a short period of time today [jeudi] in the Digby area. These complex effects are indirectly linked to the hurricane. Additional rain from Lee itself could exacerbate the risk of flooding,” said the Hurricane Center in a press release.
With the last shift towards the east compared to the trajectory predicted by Lee, meteorologists say the threat of heavier rain has shifted to western Nova Scotia, central New Brunswick and north to the Gaspé region of Quebec and the Basse-Côte- North of the province. Rainfall totals in excess of 100 millimeters are possible in some areas, particularly in areas to the left of the storm’s track.
“The ground is saturated,” said Mr. Robichaud. We received extreme precipitation across most of Nova Scotia during the summer. This definitely won’t help. »
Still, he said most parts of central and eastern Nova Scotia would avoid the heaviest downpours.
In Prince Edward Island, which suffered significant damage a year ago during the post-tropical storm Fionaofficials stressed that they did not expect a major impact from Lee. However, they encouraged residents to review emergency plans and prepare for 80 km/h winds, heavy rain and possible storm surge.
“Islanders have been strong and resilient in the face of the storms that have hit our province over the past several years,” Public Safety Minister Bloyce Thompson said in a news release. We have learned that the best defense is to properly plan for a weather event before it happens. »