Biden Declares Disaster , Ahead of Hurricane Lee's Expected, Landfall in New England.br 'The Hill' reports that New England br is preparing for Hurricane Lee br following a week of extreme weather.br On September 15, President Biden br declared a disaster per the request br of Maine Governor Janet Mills.br On September 15, President Biden br declared a disaster per the request br of Maine Governor Janet Mills.br Previously, Mills had declared a state of emergency in br Maine, but the declaration by the White House ensures br federal resources will be made available for the state.br Associated Press reports that a tropical storm warning br has been put in place from Maine to Massachusetts, while br Maine was put under its first hurricane watch in 15 years.br Tropical storm-force winds of 40 miles per hour or br greater have been forecast, along with 20-foot ocean br swells before the storm makes landfall on September 17.br According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), hurricane conditions could impact parts of , "Down East Maine, southern New br Brunswick and western Nova Scotia.".br The NHC said that Hurricane Lee is forecast to , “spread along the coast of New England and over br portions of Atlantic Canada through Saturday.” .br Over ten inches of rain fell in over br six hours this week in Maine. br There were also multiple tornado warnings.br 'The Hill' reports that heavy rain in the state br caused sinkholes and flooding across many areas. .