CARIBBEAN SEA – SEPTEMBER 26: In this NASA handout image taken from the International Space Station, Hurricane Ian moves through the Caribbean Sea on September 26, 2022 just south of Cuba. The storm is expected to bring a potentially life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds
. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)New projections show Hurricane Lee could become a strong category 4 or 5 storm. Lee could make it all the way to the East Coast according to some models. The hurricane formed over the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday and is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm by Saturday, with wind speeds up to 150 miles per hour.
A European forecast model predicts the storm will stay out at sea and not make direct landfall with the U.S. However, the American model shows Lee hitting the edge of Cape Cod and heading up into Canadian waters. Hurricane Lee could strengthen into a Category 5 storm as temperatures in the Atlantic are warmer than usual.
As of now it looks like the southern east coast is not in the direct path of the storm. But we need to keep a close on eye this beast!
In North and South Carolina we've seen our fair share of significant hurricanes. Hurricane Matthew struck North Carolina in October 2016, resulting in severe flooding. Especially in the eastern part of the state. Many rivers reached record flood stages, and the storm caused widespread damage and several fatalities.
Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina in September 2018 as a Category 1 hurricane. It brought heavy rain and caused catastrophic flooding in many areas, leading to significant property damage and numerous evacuations.
Hurricane Ian Aftermath
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: The pilings from Fort Myers Beach pier are all that are left after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, the lighthouse continues to stand after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, a home burns after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, a neighborhood remains flooded near downtown after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, homes show some damage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, a home sits precariously on the edge of the water after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Docs Beach House after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, homes show some damage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: A storm damaged building after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Vehicles float in the water after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, parts of Sanibel Causeway are washed away along with sections of the bridge after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SANIBEL, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, the Sanibel Causeway bridge collapsed in places as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Park begins cleaning up after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Punta Gorda, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brenda Brennan sits next to a boat that pushed against her apartment when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Brennan said the boat floated in around 7pm. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: People walk along the beach looking at property damaged by Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall on Cayo Costa, Florida, and brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
SAINT PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: General view of St. Pete Beach bay as strong winds from Hurricane Ian arrive on September 28, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Ian is hitting the area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)SARASOTA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Wind gusts blow across boats in the Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall at Cayo Costa, Florida this afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds over 140 miles per hour in some areas. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Hurricane damage
(Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Stedi Scuderi looks over her apartment after flood water inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
GULF OF MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 28: In this NOAA handout image taken by the GOES satellite at 13:26 UTC, Hurricane Ian moves toward Florida on September 28, 2022 in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to bring a potentially life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)
