Balanced News: Hurricane Lee expected to be “extremely dangerous” by Friday

Hurricane Lee has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and is predicted to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane by Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip current conditions to various areas, including the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Hispaniola. The extent of its potential impact is still uncertain, but the Leeward Islands are advised to stay alert. This comes shortly after Hurricane Idalia caused significant damage across the Southeast, with estimated losses of $12 to $20 billion.