BOSTON (WWLP) – Governor Healey provided an update on the state’s preparations ahead of Hurricane Lee.  

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Cape Cod as Hurricane Lee is expected to bring wind with gusts as high as 50 – 60 mph, rain, and coastal floods Friday night into Saturday. The most significant coastal flooding is expected northern shoreline of Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Governor Healey was joined by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, MEMA, and other state officials preparing for the impact of Hurricane Lee. Healey has declared a state of emergency and requested that FEMA issue a Pre-Disaster Emergency Declaration under the Stafford Act, which would make Massachusetts eligible for Direct Federal Assistance for response costs including personnel, equipment, supplies, and evacuation assistance.

Nearly 50 National Guard members have been activated to help provide support. Several organizations are staging in Massachusetts to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Lee. Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee is the staging area for equipment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for relief operations.

Track: Hurricane Lee

Western Massachusetts is expected to have no major impacts from Hurricane Lee on Saturday however, it will be breezy with winds out of the northwest at 10-20 mph and wind gusts between 25-40 mph at times. It is expected to stay dry here for mostly everyone but a spot shower can’t be ruled out.

The outer clouds of Hurricane Lee will drift in on Friday. 22News Storm Team Meteorologist Chris Bouzakis explains the impact it will have in western Massachusetts in the video player below.