Hurricane Lee set to pummel Boston and NYC as Category 5 storm slams east coast
Tropical Storm Lee Is Expected To Rapidly Intensify Into An ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Hurricane
Forecast models are showing that Hurricane Lee may make landfall on the East Coast next week, potentially bringing dangerous storm surges and heavy rainfall to Boston and New York City – reminiscent of the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy on the region.
As of Thursday, Hurricane Lee, classified as a Category 4 storm, was located in the northeastern Caribbean and was heading towards the Leeward Islands.
In the past 24 hours, the storm has significantly intensified, with wind speeds exceeding 130mph and forecasts anticipate it may intensify to Category 5 in the coming days.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Lee is undergoing an exceptional rate of strengthening.
According to the European model, which has been analyzed by CBS New York, the storm could directly impact Boston and also affect New York City and portions of Long Island due to its expansive size.
“This will definitely be a big player for our area,” CBS New York meteorologist Lonnie Quinn said, adding: “This will definitely be a significant weather event for our area.”
The memories of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which submerged parts of New York City and claimed more than 40 lives in the metropolitan area, still haunt the region.
Spaghetti models depicting the potential path of Hurricane Lee show it veering northeast along the East Coast.
The proximity of these lines on the models offers forecasters greater confidence in predicting the storm’s trajectory.
The European model suggests that a frontal system along the East Coast next week could potentially steer Lee away from land, but if this system weakens, it could open the door for the storm to strike the Northeast, with Massachusetts being a possible landfall point.
Meanwhile, an American model suggests that Hurricane Lee may brush along the coast of Cape Cod before moving into the Canadian Maritimes.
In this scenario, the East Coast would still experience the storm’s impact, albeit likely less severe than a direct hit.
As of Thursday night, Hurricane Lee was positioned approximately 705 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, maintaining Category 4 status with sustained winds between 130 and 156mph.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the hurricane’s projected path and preparations being undertaken by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has deployed resources to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in anticipation of the storm.
The storm is expected to generate life-threatening surf and rip currents in the Lesser Antilles on Friday, with swells reaching the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Bermuda over the weekend.
Ernesto Morales, a representative from the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, cautioned: “We will see waves between 10 and 15 feet, so we don’t want anyone on the beaches.”
Hurricane Lee is the 12th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30 and typically peaks in September.
The US is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida in late August, causing rain, deadly surges, and havoc in Georgia and the Carolinas, resulting in four fatalities.
Notably, the last major hurricane to directly impact New York City was in 1938, but the city remains deeply affected by the trauma of Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, which caused an estimated $19 billion in damages and more than 230 deaths worldwide.
Landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, were also severely damaged, with some closed for over eight months after the storm.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/ExpressUSNews
Source: Read Full Article