As Hurricane Lee continued to barrel towards the New England coast and eastern Canada, millions of people were placed under storm watches and warnings on Saturday. The storm was expected to bring heavy winds, high seas, and rain, prompting residents and fishermen to take precautionary measures. In Bar Harbor, Maine, lobstermen pulled their traps from the water and hauled their boats inland, leaving the harbor eerily vacant. Cruise ships sought refuge in berths in Portland, Maine, while utility workers from as far as Tennessee positioned themselves to repair damage caused by the hurricane.

By late Friday night, Hurricane Lee maintained its status as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 128 kph. Although the storm was forecasted to brush the New England coast before making landfall in Nova Scotia, its effects were predicted to be felt over a wide area. The National Hurricane Center warned of hurricane-force winds extending over 161 kilometers from the center of the storm, with tropical storm-force gusts reaching up to 555 kilometers outward.

States of emergency were declared in Massachusetts and Maine, as the ground in these areas had already been saturated by heavy summer rains. The heavily forested state of Maine, in particular, was at risk of power outages due to weakened trees. Prior to reaching New England, Hurricane Lee had already lashed the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. As it continued its path northward, heavy swells were expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in both the U.S. and Canada.

Coastal regions in Maine were warned of potential waves up to 4.5 meters high, which could result in erosion and damage. Power outages were also expected due to the strong gusts. The National Weather Service predicted that eastern Maine could experience up to 12 centimeters of rain, leading to a flash flood watch in the area.

Despite the impending storm, some New Englanders seemed unfazed, comparing Hurricane Lee to the region's usual winter nor'easters. Bar Harbor lobsterman, Bruce Young, dismissed the storm as merely entertaining, with large waves and strong winds reaching speeds of 80-96 kph. However, he still took precautions by moving his boat to the local airport. Similarly, commercial lobsterman Steve Train in Long Island, Maine, remained unconcerned about staying on the island during the storm, stating, "Not one bit."

In Canada, meteorologists assured residents that Hurricane Lee would not be as severe as the remnants of Hurricane Fiona, which caused significant damage to houses, power outages, and even claimed a life. However, officials still urged residents to stay home and avoid checking out the waves and wind strength.

While destructive hurricanes are rare in the northern regions, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 serves as a reminder of the potential devastation. With gusts reaching 300 kph and sustained winds of 195 kph, the storm caused significant damage. More recently, Hurricane Irene in 2011 demonstrated that damage isn't always confined to the coast, causing over $800 million in damage in Vermont despite being downgraded to a tropical storm.

As preparations continued and residents braced for the impact of Hurricane Lee, the concern over power outages, high winds, and heavy rain remained prevalent across New England and eastern Canada.