Communities on the southwest coast have declared States of Emergency as storm surge from Post-Tropical Storm Fiona batter the coastline, destroying homes and infrastructure.
Provincial public safety minister John Hogan says the provincial Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and communications are underway with affected communities.
He’s urging people to stay away from the coastline and says plans are underway to deal with needs as they arise.
He says the situation is being monitored closely and they are doing what they can to restore power and deliver food where needed. The big job in the coming days will surround clean-up with the help of federal agencies.
Hogan says his thoughts are with those whose property has been damaged or destroyed.
“I know how devastating it must be to lose a family home,” he says referencing the homes caught on video being swallowed up by the ocean, “but we can replace homes and we can repair damage, but we can’t repair lives that are lost.”
He says anything and everything that people need, the provincial and federal governments will be there to help, including helicopters to transport people, food and medication, and the Armed Forces to help with repairs and clean up.
Furey Enroute
Premier Andrew Furey, who is in Istanbul, Turkey is heading back to the province immediately to assess the damage. He has spoken with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who has offered federal support.
I have been keeping constantly updated, and given the severity of the storm impacts on the southwest coast I am heading to the area immediately.
Please continue to follow the advice of officials, stay inside where required, and keep yourself safe.
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) September 24, 2022
Federal Support
Prime Minister Trudeau says the federal government is there for the many people affected by Fiona. He says an Incident Response Group meeting has taken place with federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to support each of the provinces with additional resources.
I’m thinking of everyone affected by Hurricane Fiona – I want you to know that we’re here for you. I convened an Incident Response Group meeting with Minister @BillBlair and officials this morning. Our government stands ready to support the provinces with additional resources.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 24, 2022
Municipal Response
In Port aux Basques, Mayor Brian Button is pleased to see residents responding to urgent pleas for people to stay off the roads. There was a problem earlier today as people started moving about getting pictures and video of the devastation, putting themselves and emergency responders at risk.
People in the hardest hit areas have been asked to leave their homes and get to one of a number of emergency shelters set up in town.
The Lion’s Club and Salvation Army Hall are taking displaced residents, while the Bruce II Arena is taking families with pets.
The town hall is flooded, so the town has set up a command centre at the hospital for response to emergency calls and questions from affected residents.
Storm surge has already washed away a number of homes and structures, there are numerous reports of flooding and high winds and waves have toppled utility poles causing electrical fires and sending live wires down over roads and properties.
RCMP are reiterating the risks people are taking by collecting pictures and video of flooding and crashing ocean waves. They say people are putting themselves and first responders unnecessarily at risk.
For those trying to leave the community, Button urges them not to take the bridge or causeway, but to head inland toward the highway.
Anyone displaced is asked to call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-922-9597.
Fiona Not Finished
The weather office says we’re not out of the woods yet with Fiona. Meteorologist David Neal says winds in the west and southwest will ease slightly tonight but drop off significantly overnight and tomorrow.
Storm surge did the bulk of the damage and Neal expects another hit tonight, albeit not as heavy as the surges this morning.
Water levels will stay fairly high as there will be another high tide this evening.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Brendan Sawchuk says the damage being experienced in the region is exactly what meteorologists were most worried about.
Security footage capturing the moment storm surge crashed into a home and apartment building in Port aux Basques, knocking them straight off their foundations and flattening them, has gone viral.
This is exactly what we were worried about with the storm surge. https://t.co/KTo7uXMdej
— Brenden Sawchuk (@brenden_wx) September 24, 2022
Northern Newfoundland Feeling Effects
Fiona’s fury is moving northward with effects being felt all along the Great Northern Peninsula.
Parks Canada is making the Discovery Centre in Woody Point available for seniors should the area experience extended power outages.
Area MP Gudie Hutchings is reminding residents to stay indoors, and stay safe.
She calls the impact on coastal communities “devastating.”
She has been in contact with Public Safety Minister Bill Blair about supports for the region.
She says Department of National Defence, the Coast Guard and other federal departments are ready to help when called on.
Minister Jean-Philippe Champaign has also been in contact with the telecom providers to ensure communications are kept open.