Hurricane Lee Hits Category 5, Roaring Toward Caribbean with 165mph Winds
Hurricane Lee has exploded into a fierce Category 5 monster, packing terrifying winds of up to 270km/h (165mph). The first top-tier storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is now barreling west-northwest, threatening to lash the northern Caribbean with massive swells and deadly rip currents.
Caribbean and US East Coast on High Alert
As of Friday, Lee was roughly 1,015km (630 miles) east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving steadily at 22km/h (14mph). The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami has upgraded Lee to “dangerous” status, warning of life-threatening surf hitting areas including the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, and Bermuda.
The NHC also warns that deadly rip currents and heavy surf could slam much of the US East Coast starting Sunday. Authorities urge beachgoers and residents to stay vigilant and avoid the water whenever possible.
Officials Brace for Impact as FEMA Mobilises
US President Joe Biden has been fully briefed on the storm’s path. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has prepositioned resources in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to help with the looming threat.
Ernesto Morales, National Weather Service, San Juan: “We will see waves between 10 and 15 feet, so we don’t want anyone on the beaches.”
Another Storm Looming: Tropical Storm Margot Enters the Fray
Just as Lee reaches peak strength, Tropical Storm Margot has formed west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands. Margot is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane this weekend, keeping the turbulent Atlantic season very much alive.
With Hurricane Lee now the 12th named storm of the season, and Margot the 13th, the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts face more havoc in what’s shaping up to be a brutally busy hurricane season.
