Communities in southwestern Newfoundland are facing significant damage, including loss of homes, flooding and road washouts from Post-Tropical Storm Fiona.
Everything east of Port aux Basques town hall is under an emergency evacuation order as the city is battered by strong winds and storm surge.
“What’s really going on here is total devastation,” Mayor Brian Button said.
On Friday, the city had recommended that some residents of homes near the coast evacuate. On Saturday morning, that recommendation became an order.
“We’re going to force people out of their homes if we have to. They have to leave,” he said.
Power lines were down, the town hall was flooded and several roads were washed out.
“I’m telling you, it’s a mess out there,” he said.
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Several houses in Port aux Basques have been destroyed due to the storm surge. (Rene Roy/Wreckhouse Press)
Button said it’s too early to say if anyone has been injured, but said if people don’t heed the order to evacuate they are in danger.
The city is also experiencing problems with its water system and is under a boil advisory.
“This has gotten bigger and worse than we ever imagined.”
Other communities, such as Burnt Islands and Burgeo, are dealing with similar situations.
RCMP Cpl. Jolene Garland said several residential areas are being evacuated, and in some cases residents have been reluctant to leave their homes.
“This is causing a lot of problems and a lot of concern,” he said.
Garland said police have received an unconfirmed report that a woman has been swept out to sea. He said first responders have been unable to reach that location due to storm surge.
He said police received another report that a woman was swept into the sea after her house collapsed, but was rescued and taken to hospital.
The sea began to recede as the tides changed in the early afternoon, leaving behind a trail of flattened buildings, boulders and other debris. Overturned sheds and fishing stages dotted the shore.
One first responder told CBC News that the destruction in the area outside the city center limits was nothing compared to the higher elevations of the city.
‘I took it all’
By mid-morning Saturday, the storm was wreaking havoc on everyday life. Residents, some in tears, rushed to pack up their vehicles and drive away from areas devastated by flooding and storm surge.
Some roads have been washed out, cutting off parts of the community entirely.
Phil Boyles was a resident forced to flee his home due to storm surge.
“I took out everything I could try to keep and now it seems like I can’t even go back,” he said.
Boyles said the community is used to bad weather, but not like this.
Kay Gail was on her way to her job as a personal care worker for a 96-year-old woman, but was forced to turn back near Port aux Basques town hall because the roads were too dangerous.
Earlier this week, residents told CBC News they were preparing for the worst, but on Saturday, many said this was the worst storm they had ever seen.
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