(Halifax) Fiona, one of the most powerful storms to hit eastern Canada, is heading into western Newfoundland after leaving a trail of destruction.
Posted at 10:42 p.m.
The storm was concentrated over the eastern Gulf of St. Lawrence on Saturday evening and was expected to track northeast, reaching Quebec’s Lower North Shore and southeastern Labrador overnight. High winds, large waves and storm surge continued over parts of eastern Nova Scotia, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and western Newfoundland.
Police authorities have reported two residents of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, who were blown away after their respective homes collapsed. RCMP Corporal Jolene Garland said one of two women was rescued by neighbors and will recover well after receiving medical attention.
“We also received reports of another woman who was allegedly swept into the ocean. She was in a basement, said Mme Garland. We have not been able to verify the fate of this woman. The police officer explained that the weather conditions were too dangerous to carry out an investigation on the ground.
Several cities on Cape Breton Island and at least one municipality in Newfoundland have declared a state of emergency on their territory.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has indicated that his government is ready to help the provinces.
In a tweet posted around 5 a.m. on Twitter, the Canadian Hurricane Center (ECCC) said that “with an unofficial pressure recorded at Hart Island of 931.6 mb, this makes the lowest storm on record in the Canada”.
“The pressure of a storm is a very good indication of its intensity – the strength and intensity of the winds,” said meteorologist Ian Hubbard. The higher the pressure, the more intense it will be. »
Hurricane Center warning preparedness meteorologist Bob Robichaud told a news conference that the hardest-hit areas of southwestern Newfoundland were in the path of the strongest winds at the edge. of the storm.
“The same winds that passed through Cape Breton in the early morning hours are now blowing through the Port aux Basques area. That, plus the fact that they’re wide open to incoming waves and storm surges, is what explains what you’re seeing now,” Robichaud said.
Significant damage
Other Nova Scotia officials described the dizzying effects of the storm, which blew up debris, shattered utility poles and trees on roads, and knocked out power to three-quarters of the province’s residents as early as Saturday. afternoon.
Brian Button, the mayor of Port-aux-Basques, said some houses were swept away by high winds and rising waters. In a video broadcast Saturday morning on Facebook Live, he also urged people not to venture outside and recommended that residents most at risk take refuge in higher areas.
“Anyone who has been told to leave their homes, do it! There are no ifs or buts, you have to go. »
He warned that those trying to stay at home risk finding themselves isolated.
“A house can be replaced, but you can’t. You must go. Already houses have been washed away, so you have to go now. »
Later in the day on Saturday, he advised people to take shelter in a primary school, as forecasts predict further storm surges.
The RCMP issued a similar message. “Several electrical fires, flooded residences and washed-out roads are keeping first responders busy. Obey evacuation orders and find a safe place to weather the storm,” she said on Twitter.
Rene Roy, the local weekly’s editor-in-chief, says nine buildings, including a two-story building, were swept away after a powerful storm surge and waves reaching 25 meters. “These houses no longer exist. They are in the street. “, he launched.
Fiona arrived with winds blowing around 150 km/h when she made landfall around 4 a.m. local time at the east end of Nova Scotia between Canso and Guysborough. The severe storm knocked out power to more than 500,000 homes and businesses in the Maritime provinces.
In its 8:30 a.m. update, the ECC said “Fiona will continue to move northeast today and bring damaging winds, waves and storm surge.”
The center says gusts of 90 to 120 kilometers per hour have been reported in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Magdalen Islands and southwestern Earth. Newfoundland, with gusts reaching 161 km/h on Beaver Island, Nova Scotia.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport reported gusts of 109 km/h at 3 a.m. A gust even reached 135 km/h in the mouth of Halifax Harbour. Some 160 people were evacuated from two badly damaged apartment buildings. The roof of one of them had collapsed.
Army help needed
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston requested assistance from the military and Ontario, under a mutual aid agreement. The province is trying to urgently restore power, telephone and internet services.
In Sydney, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton’s largest city, the wind, which reached 141 km/h at 3 a.m., caused severe damage to some homes, forcing families to flee.
A spokeswoman for the region, Christina Lamey, confirmed damage to structures, but said no one was injured. She said it was unclear how many houses had been damaged, there were reports of collapsed walls and missing roofs.
“Front line responders are everywhere. We want people to avoid the roads, she said. Most of the roads are currently dangerous. Several trees and power lines fell. »
Several dozen people have taken refuge at the Center 200 arena in Sydney.
“We heard a loud noise outside. We then realized that walls were cracking. We looked outside and saw trees falling, said one, Arlene Grafilo. We were imprisoned and couldn’t even open the doors and windows. So we decided to call 911. The kids were scared. »
Conditions were not much better on Prince Edward Island. Winds of 110 km/h were recorded there around 2:30 p.m.
Premier Dennis King said a two-metre storm surge hit the shoreline, causing flooding in several places and knocking down power line poles. About 95% of the population would be without power.
Mr King praised Islanders for heeding warnings to stay indoors, pointing out that authorities have not received any reports of injuries.
But if he said it was still too early to fully assess the extent of the damage across the island. He said early indications already made it clear that Fiona had delivered an unprecedented blow.
“It appears that few communities, large or small, have been spared,” King said.
In Charlottetown, capital of Prince Edward Island, the city has urged residents to stay off the streets. Fiona left a lot of debris, downed power lines and uprooted and shattered trees. Gasoline pumps were ripped from their foundations, power lines twisted and fallen, and mailboxes toppled.
Lena Caseley, a Charlottetown resident who has lived in the Parkdale neighborhood since 1993, said she had never seen anything like Fiona’s fury and destruction.
Saturday afternoon, M.me Caseley inspected the damage on his street. “It’s going to take a long time to recover,” she said.
Steve Clements, who spent the night at Jack Blanchard Hall, one of Charlottetown’s temporary shelters, said he was grateful to be “sheltered from the elements.” He said it was noisy and difficult to sleep in, but “it’s better than the alternative.” It’s better than being outside”.
Parts of eastern Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have already recorded 75 to 150 millimeters of rain.
According to the Canadian Hurricane Center, Fiona is moving northeast across the Gulf of St. Lawrence as hurricane-force wind gusts continue over parts of southwestern Newfoundland. It could make landfall again in Labrador on Sunday morning.