Hurricane Fiona to impact the west and south coast

Hurricane Fiona will have a profound impact on portions of Newfoundland and Labrador with impacts being felt as early as today.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several alerts including hurricane and tropical storm warnings, along with rainfall, wind, and storm surge warnings. A complete list of warnings is available here.

Fiona has maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h with higher gusts. Fiona is currently a category 3 hurricane and could make landfall in Cape Breton or around the Canso, Nova Scotia area as a category two hurricane on Saturday morning. The storm is expected to weaken today.

Fiona is forecast to be a large and powerful post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds when it moves through Atlantic Canada.

Significant rainfall is expected. The heaviest rain will fall over southwestern Newfoundland. In these areas over 100 mm of rain is expected. Flooding is likely.

Winds will also be strong in these areas. Gusts to 130 km/h is possible in southwestern Newfoundland.

Tonight and Saturday waves of 15 metres are possible along the south coast of Newfoundland from Port aux Basques to Connaigre. Storm surge along with these wave heights will be destructive along parts of the coast.

Travel disruptions

• Marine Atlantic has cancelled all crossings from tonight to Sunday morning and warns that crossings on Sunday evening could also be impacted.

• Air Canada flights to Charlottetown, Deer Lake, Fredericton, Gander, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, St. John's, Sydney, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bathurst, and Bermuda could be impacted.

• PAL Airlines has issued a weather advisory for St. Anthony and Blanc-Sablon.

Residents should be prepared for significant travel disruptions, prolonged power outages, flooding, and wind damage. You should have an emergency kit ready.

You should secure loose objects outside your home, clean up any debris, and make sure the storm drains near your home are clear. Time is running out to complete these tasks.

Emergency Numbers:

• Police, Fire, Ambulance 911

• Newfoundland Power Outage Line 1-800-474-5711

• NL Hydro Outage Line 1-888-737-1296