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Post-tropical Storm Lee is moving out of the Maritimes this morning, leaving behind widespread power outages, flooding and downed trees.
The storm was about 23 kilometers northwest of Summerside, PEI, at 6 a.m. AT, moving northeast at 30 km/h toward the Gulf of St. Lawrence, according to CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin.
Winds gusting up to 70 km/h were still expected in mainland Nova Scotia this morning, and up to 90 km/h in Cape Breton and eastern parts of mainland Nova Scotia. Winds are expected to decrease this afternoon.
The US National Hurricane Center said the storm made landfall on Long Island, NS, around 4 pm on Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h.
More than 101,000 Nova Scotia Power customers were still in the dark early Sunday morning, and the utility said more than 800 workers were in the field working to restore power.
In New Brunswick, more than 12,000 people were still without power early Sunday morning, and about 1,100 with PEI’s Maritime Electric were waiting to have their power restored.
Maximum wind gusts of 117 km/h were recorded at Halifax Airport, while gusts of between 90 and 110 km/h and between 30 and 60 millimeters of rain were recorded in southwestern Nova Scotia in that same area.
Downed trees, power outages and more: See the effects of Post-Tropical Storm Lee on New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia RCMP asked people to stay off the roads Saturday as water, downed trees and utility lines created hazards along the province’s Atlantic coast.
In the Halifax Regional Municipality, Mayor Mike Savage said several roads were blocked due to seawater and debris, washed out sewers, downed trees and power lines.
Many homeless people living in encampments across the city were moved to shelters set up at St. Matthew’s Church, the Captain William Spry Community Center and the Beacon House in Lower Sackville, Savage said during a news conference Saturday afternoon.
The storm is expected to hit the Yarmouth County area early Saturday afternoon.
Bell, a major cellular service provider, confirmed in an email that there was some “wireless congestion” on Saturday in areas where there are widespread power outages. Eastlink, Rogers and Telus reported similar problems.
A motorist was injured when a pine tree fell on his vehicle while driving toward Blockhouse, NS.
Cancellations
Northumberland Ferries said all sailings between Wood Islands, PEI and Caribou, NS, until 12pm AT have been cancelled. She said she would monitor her website for updates.
Bay Ferries has canceled its Saturday and Sunday crossings between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth.
Atlantic Ocean has canceled its Sunday afternoon crossings between North Sydney, NS and Port Aux Basque, NL
Many flights in and out of the region have been canceled. Anyone planning to travel should check the status of their flight with their airline.
