Thousands without power and 1 dead after Atlantic storm Lee pummels New England and Maritime Canada

**Severe Weather Canada** A barricade keeps people away from the crashing waves at the Queen's Marque in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A pedestrian walks with an umbrella along King Street in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A cyclist and a woman stop to clear debris from the storm drain as rain falls in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A downed tree lays across in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A downed tree is shown in a yard in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Tropical Weather** Waves crash against a seawall Saturday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Saco, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

**Severe Weather** Visitors stroll by tourist shops in the rain during storm Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather Canada** A woman takes a photograph of the crashing waves leading to the Halifax Harbor at the Queen's Marque public space in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** Waves crash along the Halifax waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A woman crosses the street to avoid downed power lines and trees in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A woman struggles to keep her tent upright at the encampment in Victoria Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** The SS Acadia sits in the Halifax Harbour with Georges Island in the distance at high tide in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**APTOPIX Maine Severe Weather** Two people dance in the rain during storm Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather Canada** Point Pleasant Park is closed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** A man struggles to walk through strong winds in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Kelly Clark/The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather** A girl braves wet and windy conditions to walk her dog on a pier during storm Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Maine Severe Weather** A city worker views a wave crashing along a walkway during storm Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather New Hampshire** People watch waves from Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Rye, N.H. The storm is expected to make landfall Saturday in Canada at near hurricane strength and then move farther into the region. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)

**Severe Weather New Hampshire** A woman walks along the rocks near waves from Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Rye, N.H. The storm is expected to make landfall Saturday in Canada at near hurricane strength and then move farther into the region. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)

**Maine Severe Weather** People watch rough surf and waves, remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, crash along the shore of Bailey Island, Maine, on Saturday, Sept 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jim Gerberich)

**Severe Weather Canada** Motorists wait for a tree to be cleared that fell on Woodstock Road in Fredericton, N.B., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather** Curious onlookers gather to look at powerful waves pounding the shore at the Head of the Meadow Beach in the Cape Cod town of Truro, Mass., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)

**Severe Weather** A warning sign is displayed on Park Loop Rd. along shoreline closure at Acadia National Park in Maine on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day.(AP Photo/Robert Bumsted)

**APTOPIX Severe Weather** A tourist struggles with his rain poncho in strong wind as weather associated with Storm Lee hits the region, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather** A tourist struggles with his rain poncho in strong wind as weather associated with Hurricane Lee hits the region, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine, (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather** Visitors walk along the waterfront in strong wind and rain as weather associated with Hurricane Lee hits the region, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine, (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**APTOPIX Tropical Weather** Waves come ashore, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Hampton Beach, N.H. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of New England and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

**Tropical Weather** A surfer rides a wave, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Hampton Beach, N.H. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of New England and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

**Tropical Weather** A surfer heads out, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Hampton Beach, N.H. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of New England and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

**Severe Weather** Visitors brave strong winds and driving rain during storm Lee, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather** Val Peacock grabs hold of her hat while watching the storm Lee with her husband, Tobin Peacock, in strong winds and driving rain, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, on the waterfront in Bar Harbor, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Severe Weather** A curious onlookers looks at the powerful waves pounding the shore at the Head of the Meadow Beach in the Cape Cod town of Truro, Mass., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)

**Severe Weather** Waves crash on Egg Rock off the coast of Acadia National Park during severe weather Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, near Bar Harbor, Maine. The National Hurricane Center downgraded Hurricane Lee to a post-tropical cyclone but millions of people remained under storm watches and warnings early Saturday as the storm still could produce hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and coastal flooding. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

**Canada Severe Weather** Waves crash against a breakwater in Port Maitland, Nova Scotia, Canada, as post-tropical cyclone Lee approaches on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Bill Curry/The Canadian Press via AP)

**Canada Severe Weather** Waves at Port Maitland Beach crash as post-tropical cyclone Lee approaches in Port Maitland, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Bill Curry/The Canadian Press via AP)

**Canada Severe Weather** A downed tree hangs on power lines as post-tropical storm Lee approaches in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Bill Curry/The Canadian Press via AP)

**Canada Severe Weather** Waves crash as post-tropical cyclone Lee approaches in Sandford, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Bill Curry/The Canadian Press via AP)

**Severe Weather Canada** City of Saint John workers put caution tape around a large tree that fell in King's Square, in Saint John, N.B on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Michael Hawkins /The Canadian Press via AP)

**Tropical Weather** Waves crash against the rocks at Portland Head Light, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2023, in South Portland, Maine. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

**Severe Weather Canada** Personnel with the New Brunswick department of transportation and infrastructure block the road next to a large tree that fell on Woodstock Road in Fredericton, N.B., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Severe conditions were predicted across parts of Massachusetts and Maine, and hurricane conditions could hit the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where the storm, Lee, downgraded early Saturday from hurricane to post-tropical cyclone, was expected to make landfall later in the day. (Stephen MacGillivray /The Canadian Press via AP)

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BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Atlantic storm Lee pummeled a large swath of New England and Maritime Canada with destructive winds, rough surf and torrential rains that toppled trees, flooded roadways and cut power to tens of thousands on Saturday. One person was killed in Maine when a tree limb fell on his vehicle.

The center of the sprawling post-tropical cyclone made landfall about 135 miles (215 kilometers) west of Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. That’s about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Eastport, Maine. It had near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph (110 kph), though the storm was weakening as it headed north to New Brunswick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Lee flooded coastal roads in Nova Scotia and took ferries out of service as it fanned anxiety in a region still reeling from wildfires and severe flooding this summer. The province’s largest airport, Halifax Stanfield International, cancelled all flights.

“People are exhausted. … It’s so much in such a small time period,” said Pam Lovelace, a councilor in Halifax.

The storm was so big that it caused power outages several hundred miles from its center. At midday Saturday, 11% of electricity customers in Maine lacked power, along with 27% of Nova Scotia, 8% of New Brunswick and 3% of Prince Edward Island.

Hurricane-force winds extended as far as 140 miles (220 kilometers) from Lee’s center, with tropical storm-force winds extending as far as 320 miles (515 kilometers) — enough to cover all of Maine and much of Maritime Canada.

In the United States, a tropical storm warning remained in effect from Stonington, Maine, north to the U.S.-Canada border.

That included Bar Harbor, the touristy gateway to Acadia National Park, where a whale watch vessel broke free of its mooring and crashed ashore. Authorities worked to offload 1,800 gallons of diesel fuel to prevent it from spilling into the ocean.

A 51-year-old motorist in Searsport, Maine, died after a large tree limb fell on his vehicle Saturday on U.S. Highway 1 during a period of high winds, the first fatality attributed to the storm.

The tree limb brought down live power lines, and utility workers had to cut power before the man could be removed, said Police Chief Brian Lunt. The unidentified man died later at a hospital, Lunt said.

Storm surge of up to 3 feet (0.91 meters) was expected along coastal areas, accompanied by large and destructive waves, the hurricane center said.

The storm skirted some of the most waterlogged areas of Massachusetts that experienced severe flash flooding days earlier, when fast water washed out roads, caused sinkholes, damaged homes and flooded vehicles.

In eastern Maine, winds died down enough by late afternoon for utility workers to begin using their bucket trucks to make repairs. Both Central Maine Power and Versant Power had hundreds of workers, including out-of-state crews, to assist in the effort.

“At this point, the storm is resembling a nor’easter,” said Sarah Thunberg, a National Weather Service meteorologist, referring to the fall and winter storms that often plague the region and are so named because their winds blow from the northeast. They typically have a much wider wind field than tropical systems, whose winds stay closer to a storm’s center.

But the entire region has experienced an especially wet summer — it ranked second in the number of rainy days in Portland, Maine — and Lee’s high winds toppled trees stressed by the rain-soaked ground in Maine, the nation’s most heavily wooded state.

Cruise ships found refuge at berths in Portland, while lobstermen in Bar Harbor and elsewhere pulled traps from the water and hauled boats inland.

Billy Bob Faulkingham, House Republican leader of the Maine Legislature, and another lobsterman survived after their boat overturned while hauling traps ahead of the storm Friday, officials said.

The boat’s emergency locator beacon alerted authorities, and the two clung to the hull until help arrived, said Winter Harbor Police Chief Danny Mitchell. The 42-foot boat sank.

“They’re very lucky to be alive,” Mitchell said.

Forecasters urged residents to stay home, but many ventured out anyway.

Betsy Follansbee and her husband, Fred, jogged to Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine, to watch surfers — some wearing helmets — paddling out to catch waves reaching 12 feet (3.6 meters). They were the biggest waves Follansbee has seen in her 10 years living there, she said.

“We’re impressed that they’re bold enough to try,” Follansbee said.

On Maine’s Bailey Island, a slender spit jutting into the Gulf of Maine, Ren Renton watched the ocean roil. “It comes and goes and takes what it wants, but hopefully not too much,” she said.

Lee shared some characteristics with 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. Both were once-strong hurricanes that became post-tropical cyclones — cyclonic storms that have lost most of their tropical characteristics — before landfall. Lee was not expected to be nearly as destructive as Sandy, which caused billions of dollars in damage and was blamed for dozens of deaths in New York and New Jersey.

Lee also isn’t anywhere near as severe as the remnants of Hurricane Fiona, which a year ago washed houses into the ocean in eastern Canada, knocked out power to most of two provinces and swept a woman into the sea, said Canadian meteorologist Jill Maepea.

Destructive hurricanes are relatively rare so far north. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 brought gusts as high as 186 mph (300 kph) and sustained winds of 121 mph (195 kph) at Massachusetts’ Blue Hill Observatory. But there have been no storms that powerful in recent years.

___

Sharp reported from Portland, Maine. Contributing to this report were Associated Press journalists Robert Bumsted in Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; Michael Casey in Boston; Rio Yamat in Las Vegas; Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska; Rob Gillies in Toronto; and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Republican leader of the Maine Legislature is known as Billy Bob Faulkingham, not Bill Bob.

Thousands without power and 1 dead after Atlantic storm Lee pummels New England and Maritime Canada

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Thousands without power and 1 dead after Atlantic storm Lee pummels New England and Maritime Canada

Share This Gallery:

Related News

Couple dies in West Virginia after car crashes into toll plaza building

Alabama to use nitrogen gas to execute man for 1994 murder of hitchhiker

New study shows voting for Native Americans is harder than ever

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