Aside from some coastal erosion and downed trees, post-tropical storm Lee’s bite wasn’t as bad as its bark when it blew through southwestern Nova Scotia on Sept. 16.
Lee made landfall on Long Island, Digby County late afternoon, also touching down in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Peak wind gusts of 80 to 110 kilometres per hour were recorded along the Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia and the southwest Fundy coast in New Brunswick.
Two marker buoys were blown ashore in the Cape Sable Island area as a result of Lee. Local residents also found a variety of fish and other species including lobster washed ashore the following day. The live lobsters were put back in the ocean.
Debbie Buott-Matheson, communications manager with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Maritimes Region, said the Canadian Coast Guard dispatched flights via the Marine Civil Infrastructure (MCI) program in the days following Lee to survey the aids to navigation currently deployed throughout the region.
“We are still in the process of gathering data, but at this time can report that less than 10 aids to navigation were displaced by post-tropical storm Lee. We are working to prepare replacement buoys and to deploy them as soon as possible. Navigational warnings will also be issued to mariners to alert them to any displaced or missing buoys,” said Buott-Matheson.
As for damage to wharf infrastructure, Buott-Matheson said Fisheries and Oceans Canada Small Craft Harbours (SCH) program is assessing the level of damage to fishing harbour facilities affected by post-tropical storm Lee.
“SCH is working with harbour authorities to determine what repairs will be needed. The SCH in Westport sustained damages during post-tropical storm Lee; a bracket securing the floating dock failed. SCH staff are working with the Harbour Authority of Westport to carry-out repairs over the next week.”
