Hurricane Lee Approaches: Tropical Storm, Storm Surge Watch Issued In MA

MASSACHUSETTS — Tropical storm conditions are possible for New England as Hurricane Lee moves north. The most significant impact of the storm in the state could be the storm surge flooding possible in southeastern Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning Thursday morning for Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.

The National Hurricane Center noted that a tropical storm warning means "tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours."

A tropical storm watch was in effect for Watch Hill, RI to Woods Hole, MA; Block Island, and North of Hull, MA to Stonington, ME. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions "are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours."

As of Thursday morning, the hurricane was beginning to impact Bermuda, where tropical storm conditions were being reported. Already dangerous surf and rip current conditions were affecting much of the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Lee is forecast to pass offshore of New England, but its impact will still be felt.

There is the potential for "life-threatening storm surge" flooding in southeastern Massachusetts as a result of the storm. A storm surge watch is in effect late Friday and Saturday for Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket.

"A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours," according to the National Hurricane Center advisory. The watch calls for a storm surge of two to four feet above ground level in Cape Cod Bay and one to three feet for much of the rest of the coast.

The current forecast shows 1-2 inches of rain is expected for eastern Massachusetts. Wind gusts in coastal areas could be up to 60 mph.

The heaviest impacts are expected farther north. Hurricane conditions and coastal flooding are possible for parts of eastern Maine, southern New Brunswick, and western Nova Scotia. A hurricane watch has been issued for that area and heavy rain could result in flooding Friday night into Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm will increase in speed as it moves north. A turn toward the north-northeast is forecast for Saturday night into Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds associated with the hurricane are near 100 mph. It's expected the storm will weaken, but Lee will "remain a large and dangerous hurricane in the coming days."

Lee is the 13th named storm in the Atlantic hurricane season, and the fifth hurricane to form. The season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and peaked Sunday.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said it is actively monitoring the storm. The agency has released recommendations for hurricane preparedness including the following:

• Stay informed: make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone
• Assemble an emergency kit with: food, water, batteries, chargers, radio
• Visit Mass.gov/KnowYourZone to learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone
• Prepare for power outages (check smoke/CO detector batteries and have backup power for medical devices)