Power slowly coming online with 37,000 customers restored
CBC News · Posted: Sep 11, 2021 Last Updated: 21 minutes ago
Hurricane Larry knocks out power in Newfoundland
1 hour ago
Hurricane Larry hit eastern Newfoundland overnight as a Category 1 storm, knocking out power throughout St. John's and the surrounding area in a short, sharp wallop of heavy winds, torrential rains and an unexpectedly high storm surge. 3:01
Hurricane Larry hit eastern Newfoundland overnight as a Category 1 storm, knocking out power throughout St. John's and the surrounding area in a short, sharp wallop of heavy winds, torrential rains and an unexpectedly high storm surge.
Hurricane warnings that had been in place for the Avalon Peninsula were ended at about 5 a.m. NT, though wind warnings were still in effect for some areas, including the capital.
As of 3:14 NT, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h, with gusts surpassing 180km/h in exposed and elevated areas. Cape St. Mary's lighthouse reported a peak gust of 182 km/h on Friday evening.
"That is a huge, huge wind gust," CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said Saturday morning.
About 60,000 customers lost their power in the midst of the storm. By 2:30 p.m. Saturday, about 24,000 customers were still without power, according to Newfoundland Power.
The utility will have its full workforce out repairing damage on Saturday, and people are advised to remain in their homes so crews can easily access damaged areas.
Mary Queen of Peace Elementary School on Torbay Road in St. John's suffered significant damage to its roof Saturday morning. (John Gushue/CBC)
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the City of St. John's are asking the public to remain off the roads to minimize any risk to public safety due to downed power lines and debris.
After following the police advisory throughout the day, Metrobus Transit announced it will resume operations at 4 p.m. NT. CBC News has contacted the City of St. John's asking if the change also applies to personal vehicles.
Further updates related to Hurricane Larry will be announced as required.
Here's what's open, closed and affected due to Hurricane Larry
Winds gradually tapered off on Saturday, easing throughout the afternoon to gusts of 60 to 70 km/h with a mix of sun and cloud after speeds of between 70 and 80 km/h for the morning across the east and northeast portions of the island, Snoddon said.
Winds will continue to ease Saturday evening and overnight, he said, adding that the forecast improves for Sunday.
Tackling major road hazards
"The priority for city crews at this time is to address streets and major road hazards," the City of St. John's said in a statement.
Mayor Danny Breen, who addressed reporters at 11 a.m. Saturday, said the hurricane caused a "significant amount" of damage around the city. City crews have been addressing priority areas, including damaged traffic signals and roads that have been reduced to one lane due to debris, he said.
"We're asking residents to avoid travel unless for essential reasons," Breen said. "Please give our staff some room so we can get the work completed to get us back to having a safe passage throughout the city."
Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is asking motorists to avoid the area of Route 90 near St. Vincent's. A stretch of that road was damaged overnight and remains washed out Saturday morning.
Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless told CBC News that he has been in contact with Premier Andrew Furey throughout Saturday, getting updates from various areas of the province.
WATCH: People on Newfoundland's east coast assess damage from Hurricane Larry:
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N.L. assessing damage following Hurricane Larry
2 hours ago
People across northeastern Newfoundland are assessing the damage from Hurricane Larry, which brought storm surges, along with heavy winds and torrential rain. 2:41
Loveless said the department has been monitoring culverts and bridges, and assessing closed roads.
"Our engineers and crews began their shift work at 5 a.m. this morning. They're on it, and I'm getting updates as we go by," he said.
Loveless said crews are currently addressing Route 90, an area near North Harbour, Salmonier Line and keeping a close eye on provincial highways, but he could not give a timeline for when repairs will be completed.
"We're going to be working diligently over the next several days, but from the reports that I have to date, it's nothing that can't be tackled within a week," Loveless said.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the City of St. John's are asking the public to remain off the roads to minimize any risk to public safety due to downed power lines and debris.
After following the police advisory throughout the day, Metrobus Transit announced it will resume operations at 4 p.m. NT. CBC News has contacted the City of St. John's asking if the change also applies to personal vehicles.
Further updates related to Hurricane Larry will be announced as required.
Here's what's open, closed and affected due to Hurricane Larry
Winds gradually tapered off on Saturday, easing throughout the afternoon to gusts of 60 to 70 km/h with a mix of sun and cloud after speeds of between 70 and 80 km/h for the morning across the east and northeast portions of the island, Snoddon said.
Winds will continue to ease Saturday evening and overnight, he said, adding that the forecast improves for Sunday.
Tackling major road hazards
"The priority for city crews at this time is to address streets and major road hazards," the City of St. John's said in a statement.
Mayor Danny Breen, who addressed reporters at 11 a.m. Saturday, said the hurricane caused a "significant amount" of damage around the city. City crews have been addressing priority areas, including damaged traffic signals and roads that have been reduced to one lane due to debris, he said.
"We're asking residents to avoid travel unless for essential reasons," Breen said. "Please give our staff some room so we can get the work completed to get us back to having a safe passage throughout the city."
Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is asking motorists to avoid the area of Route 90 near St. Vincent's. A stretch of that road was damaged overnight and remains washed out Saturday morning.
Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless told CBC News that he has been in contact with Premier Andrew Furey throughout Saturday, getting updates from various areas of the province.
WATCH: People on Newfoundland's east coast assess damage from Hurricane Larry:
N.L. assessing damage following Hurricane Larry
2 hours ago
People across northeastern Newfoundland are assessing the damage from Hurricane Larry, which brought storm surges, along with heavy winds and torrential rain. 2:41
Loveless said the department has been monitoring culverts and bridges, and assessing closed roads.
"Our engineers and crews began their shift work at 5 a.m. this morning. They're on it, and I'm getting updates as we go by," he said.
Loveless said crews are currently addressing Route 90, an area near North Harbour, Salmonier Line and keeping a close eye on provincial highways, but he could not give a timeline for when repairs will be completed.
"We're going to be working diligently over the next several days, but from the reports that I have to date, it's nothing that can't be tackled within a week," Loveless said.
Roads across the province have been washed out following the hurricane, including this road in North Harbour. (Submitted by Sherry Gambin-Walsh)
Placentia-St. Mary's MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh, who lives in North Harbour, said the wind from the storm was about the strongest she's ever experienced.
"The pavement is completely removed from a portion of the road. The ocean comes up to the side of the road, so we're a little bit concerned about the underneath there," she said.
"In the past we've had heavier rain ... but this is the highest sea damage I've seen. I'm living in North Harbour now 27 years."
Argentia waters 1.5 metres higher than normal
The latest tropical cyclone information statement from Environment Canada said a "notable" storm surge event occurred near the Burin Peninsula and Avalon Peninsula.
The tide gauge at Argentia showed a peak water level about 150 centimetres higher than normal, the update said.
Placentia-St. Mary's MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh, who lives in North Harbour, said the wind from the storm was about the strongest she's ever experienced.
"The pavement is completely removed from a portion of the road. The ocean comes up to the side of the road, so we're a little bit concerned about the underneath there," she said.
"In the past we've had heavier rain ... but this is the highest sea damage I've seen. I'm living in North Harbour now 27 years."
Argentia waters 1.5 metres higher than normal
The latest tropical cyclone information statement from Environment Canada said a "notable" storm surge event occurred near the Burin Peninsula and Avalon Peninsula.
The tide gauge at Argentia showed a peak water level about 150 centimetres higher than normal, the update said.
Hurricane Larry's wind gusts topped 182 km/h in Cape St. Mary's. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)
In Marystown, Fire Chief Justin Bolt told CBC News that two homes were evacuated for a short period of time during the height of the storm due to concerns over the storm surge and high tides. Bolt said everyone is safe.
Rain was short-lived but intense, with about 30 millimetres falling "in a very short period of time."
The statement said Larry made landfall at 1:30 a.m. NT just west of Long Harbour, N.L., on the Avalon Peninsula.
Visible damage
Just before 3 a.m., reports on social media showed that the performance tent near Quidi Vidi Lake in place for the Iceberg Alley concert festival had suffered extensive damage.
Iceberg Alley cancelled its planned April Wine concert on Friday evening due to the storm.
Shortly before noon, the group said Saturday night's performance of Alan Doyle, Matt Mays and The Fine Lads has been cancelled.
"Refund information will be available in the coming days," the group said in a statement. "Crews are currently accessing the extent of damages. The future of additional performance is to be determined."
In Marystown, Fire Chief Justin Bolt told CBC News that two homes were evacuated for a short period of time during the height of the storm due to concerns over the storm surge and high tides. Bolt said everyone is safe.
Rain was short-lived but intense, with about 30 millimetres falling "in a very short period of time."
The statement said Larry made landfall at 1:30 a.m. NT just west of Long Harbour, N.L., on the Avalon Peninsula.
Visible damage
Just before 3 a.m., reports on social media showed that the performance tent near Quidi Vidi Lake in place for the Iceberg Alley concert festival had suffered extensive damage.
Iceberg Alley cancelled its planned April Wine concert on Friday evening due to the storm.
Shortly before noon, the group said Saturday night's performance of Alan Doyle, Matt Mays and The Fine Lads has been cancelled.
"Refund information will be available in the coming days," the group said in a statement. "Crews are currently accessing the extent of damages. The future of additional performance is to be determined."
Hurricane Larry brought a storm surge, heavy rain and high winds to the Avalon Peninsula overnight. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)
Nearby, at Torbay Estates apartment building in St. John's, the hurricane caused significant damage to the building's exterior.
The building's superintendent, John Brown, told CBC News that bricks fell off of an exterior wall at about 1:30 a.m., smashing on top of two vehicles and landing in a pile.
"We had wind storms in the past, and it's usually siding [damage], never brick," Brown said.
Nearby, at Torbay Estates apartment building in St. John's, the hurricane caused significant damage to the building's exterior.
The building's superintendent, John Brown, told CBC News that bricks fell off of an exterior wall at about 1:30 a.m., smashing on top of two vehicles and landing in a pile.
"We had wind storms in the past, and it's usually siding [damage], never brick," Brown said.
In Bay Roberts, Mayor Philip Wood told CBC News that the biggest damage the town suffered was to its softball field. Wood said the field's dugouts were "completely annihilated."
Wood is asking the public to stay away from the field until it's cleared by town staff.
"To clean up around our roads and that, it will certainly take a number of days," he said.
"[It was] a nasty old night."
The Wilbur Sparkes Recreation Complex in Bay Roberts suffered damage to its dugouts. (Philip Wood/Twitter)
Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Hurricane Larry leaves tens of thousands without power in Newfoundland, Canada
Hurricane Larry washed out a stretch of the road on Route 90 at St. Vincent's. Photo courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure/Twitter
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Hurricane Larry hit Newfoundland early Saturday, leaving tens of thousands in the dark.
The Category 1 storm with heavy winds, intense rain and storm surge cut power through the eastern past of the Canadian province, including the capital St. John's and surrounding areas, CBC News reported.
Before the storm moved away from the area, about 60,000 Newfoundland Power customers lost electricity, which the power company said was restored by noon for more than half.
The company added that its full workforce will be out repairing damage Saturday, and urged people to stay home while crews assess damaged areas.
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"Hurricane Larry caused a significant amount of tree and property damage throughs the City of St. John's," a city statement said.
The City of St. John's asked residents to stay off roads "unless for essential reasons," as city crews "clean up streets, sidewalks, parks and open spaces."
Major parks, including Bannerman Park, Victoria Park and Bowring Park were closed because of debris that needed to be removed, the City of St. John's statement said.
"The priority for city crews at this time is to address streets and major road hazards," the statement added.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary tweeted roads on the Northeast Avalon were covered in debris with officers identifying down trees and powers lines in the region, and urged the public to stay off of roads to minimize any public safety risk.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure also specifically advised the public to avoid Route 90 at St. Vincent's on the Avalon as a stretch of the road was washed out. The same department urged caution at Route 92 at North Harbour, which remained reduced to one lane as crews mobilized to clear debris from the area.
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Following the RNC's advisory, Metrobus Transit halted service.
Social media footage showed that the storm extensively damaged the performance tent near Quidi Vidi Lake for the Iceberg Alley Performance Test concert festival, CBC reported, and the April Wine concert planned for Friday evening was canceled due to the storm.
Saturday night's performance of Alan Doyle, Matt Mays and The Fine Lads, was also canceled.
"Refund information will be available in the coming days," the festival group said in a statement. "Crews are currently accessing the extent of damages. The future of additional performance is to be determined."
John Brown, a superintendent of Torbay Estates apartment building in St. John's, told CBC News that bricks fell off the exterior wall at about 1:30 a.m. and smashed on top of two vehicles.
In the town of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Mayor Philip Wood tweeted that there was damage to the town's softball field and asked residents to stay away as the area is cleaned.
Hurricane Larry washed out a stretch of the road on Route 90 at St. Vincent's. Photo courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure/Twitter
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Hurricane Larry hit Newfoundland early Saturday, leaving tens of thousands in the dark.
The Category 1 storm with heavy winds, intense rain and storm surge cut power through the eastern past of the Canadian province, including the capital St. John's and surrounding areas, CBC News reported.
Before the storm moved away from the area, about 60,000 Newfoundland Power customers lost electricity, which the power company said was restored by noon for more than half.
The company added that its full workforce will be out repairing damage Saturday, and urged people to stay home while crews assess damaged areas.
RELATED Powerful Typhoon Chanthu to brush Philippines on journey toward Taiwan
"Hurricane Larry caused a significant amount of tree and property damage throughs the City of St. John's," a city statement said.
The City of St. John's asked residents to stay off roads "unless for essential reasons," as city crews "clean up streets, sidewalks, parks and open spaces."
Major parks, including Bannerman Park, Victoria Park and Bowring Park were closed because of debris that needed to be removed, the City of St. John's statement said.
"The priority for city crews at this time is to address streets and major road hazards," the statement added.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary tweeted roads on the Northeast Avalon were covered in debris with officers identifying down trees and powers lines in the region, and urged the public to stay off of roads to minimize any public safety risk.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure also specifically advised the public to avoid Route 90 at St. Vincent's on the Avalon as a stretch of the road was washed out. The same department urged caution at Route 92 at North Harbour, which remained reduced to one lane as crews mobilized to clear debris from the area.
RELATEDMindy weakens to tropical depression as it moves over southern Georgia
Following the RNC's advisory, Metrobus Transit halted service.
Social media footage showed that the storm extensively damaged the performance tent near Quidi Vidi Lake for the Iceberg Alley Performance Test concert festival, CBC reported, and the April Wine concert planned for Friday evening was canceled due to the storm.
Saturday night's performance of Alan Doyle, Matt Mays and The Fine Lads, was also canceled.
"Refund information will be available in the coming days," the festival group said in a statement. "Crews are currently accessing the extent of damages. The future of additional performance is to be determined."
John Brown, a superintendent of Torbay Estates apartment building in St. John's, told CBC News that bricks fell off the exterior wall at about 1:30 a.m. and smashed on top of two vehicles.
In the town of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Mayor Philip Wood tweeted that there was damage to the town's softball field and asked residents to stay away as the area is cleaned.
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