Power outages, wind damage as winter storm lashes Newfoundland

More than 9,000 Newfoundland Power customers were left without power Sunday as high winds, rain and snow pounded the island. 

Special weather statements and winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, as Environment Canada projects a mess of rain, wind and snow to hit the island, lasting into Monday morning.

Gander weather office meteorologist Veronica Sullivan said that as of 6:30 a.m. NT, 10 mm of rain had been recorded at St. John’s International Airport, with another 30 to 50 mm still to come.

“We can expect rain and drizzle all day today for the Avalon Peninsula, with amounts ranging between 10-20 mm and that will continue into the evening as well,” she said.

Beware flying debris

The high winds have also delayed several flights at St. John’s International Airport, Gander Airport, and Deer Lake Regional Airport. 

Marine Atlantic ferry crossings to and from North Sydney are also cancelled for the day. The wind is creating hazardous conditions for drivers on highways and other roads across the island.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in St. John’s issued a warning to drivers downtown that high winds and flying debris had left a significant amount of broken glass on Harbour Drive, with cleanup crews already on the scene.

Erin’s Pub, a bar in Downtown St. John’s, received significant damage, while other businesses near Harbourside Park worked using sandbags to mitigate flooding. 

In the city’s Battery neighbourhood, a structure collapsed next to the historic Pearcey’s Twine Store, a converted family-owned museum, which welcomes thousands of tourists for its history and heritage. 

The store received some damage as a result of high winds and powerful waves. Water crashed through a window at the back of the store which overlooks the narrows.

Jason Pearcey is one of the store’s co-owners. In its 100-year history, Pearcey said the building has received a few “good splashes,” but when he checked on the space this morning, the water was coming in like he’s never seen before.

“When we pulled the plywood in front to block the window, it was just like a 12 inch pipe of water coming in through. It was unbelievable,” Pearcey said.

Pearcey said the family’s main concern was that books, documents, and pictures on display could receive water damage, but nothing was too damaged.

Residents of the Battery also entered the store before the weather turned to protect what they could.

“I didn’t put a hand to it at all. People went and got wood and tools and came in. There was probably a dozen people in here with towels, and people bought cookies,” Pearcey said.

The window is now patched up, and Pearcey said they will be able to fully restore the store.

Environment Canada expects that high winds will continue to pose problems. 

“That’s going to be the case where much of the island today,” said Sullivan, “especially coastal areas. We’re looking at winds between 90 km/h to 110 km/h for most of the day today.”

Snow heading west

Special weather statements are in effect all across the island, and winter storm warnings are currently issued for the Northern Peninsula as well as the Green Bay and White Bay areas, with around 15 cm of snow expected and more on high terrain.

While snow is expected in central and the Burin peninsula, Sullivan says it may not stick around.

“We’re not expecting too much accumulation… probably in the vicinity of around five centimetres. Before that snow will change to rain and periods of drizzle for the rest of the day.”

She says while some snow will fall, in many areas it’s going to be chased by 15-25 mm of rain, and high winds across the board.

Sullivan says the weather should continue throughout the day, and anyone thinking of travelling should perhaps consider postponing.

“Combined with all that snow and that wind, we will see several hours of blowing snow, reduced visibility, really bad travel conditions,” she said.

“So it’s just going to be a very messy day for all of the island.”

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