Gusty winds, 10-foot waves, coastal flooding expected along North and South Shores of Mass. as Hurricane Lee approaches

MARSHFIELD, MASS. (WHDH) - Residents on both the North and South Shores of Massachusetts are preparing for the incoming tropical storm as Hurricane Lee approaches New England.

In Marshfield, residents were taking in the strong winds at the beach. Over the last few days, people have been getting boats out of the water and preparing their properties close to the water for strong winds. 

Forecasts on Friday projected peak wind gusts potentially as high as 70 miles per hour on the mid- to outer Cape and Nantucket, with lesser gusts further west as Lee makes its closest approach to the region. A widespread area of coastline throughout New England could see between one and three feet of storm surge.

“Just come check it out before the storm and enjoy the windy weather,” Matt Leighton said in Marshfield. “It’s going to be pretty rough, I’d say.”

“I love it, I really do. It’s the best thing ever,” Robin Leahy said.

“I think it’s pretty intense. I just moved here and just seeing the ocean and the power and the intensity is awesome, the power of waves and wind,” said Camille Leighton. “Pictures don’t do it justice.”

Local officials are warning of possible coastal flooding and power outages as well. 

Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom discussed Eversource’s storm plans on Thursday, saying utility crews are expecting to feel the peak of Lee’s impacts between sunrise and 12 p.m. Saturday.

People in Gloucester on the North Shore are also preparing as wind and waves pick up overnight. One to three feet storm surges are expected overnight into the morning.

Dan and Linda Danish said these preparations are expected in their neighborhood which usually sees flooding and heavy winds during big storms.

“If it was coming a little bit closer it might’ve made a difference but we can guarantee the waves are gonna come up higher and pick up the wind,” Linda said.

The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for some communities on Thursday morning, later expanding the warning to include a large stretch of coastline in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

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