A lengthy stretch of wet weather, including heavy rain on the weekend, probably contributed to a mudslide in Harbour Breton this morning.

A torrent of mud and debris rolled down a hill on Canada Drive in the south side of town at about 5:00 this morning.

Mayor Lloyd Blake says no houses or vehicles were damaged, but utility poles and wires didn’t fare as well.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro crews have arrived to effect repairs and Bell Aliant crews are expected as well.

They have had to close one lane of Canada Drive.

The Town of Harbour Breton will be marking the 50th anniversary of a mudslide which claimed the lives of four children and changed the town forever. That one occurred on August. 1, 1973 following several weeks of heavy rain. Four houses were swept into the harbour and four children—Pauline, Edward, Timothy and Julia Hickey, ages 8, 7, 5 and 4—were killed. All were from the family of Jack and Olive Hickey.

There were 14 survivors.