Storm Fiona Leaves Newfoundland in Shambles
On Saturday September 24, the mighty Hurricane Fiona slammed into eastern Canada with such ferocity that it felt like a tornado made a dramatic entrance. Evacuations, streets turned into open seas, and trees snapped off like overgrown lawn ornaments – it was all hands on deck for the residents.
Port aux Basques: When the Ocean Took a Bite
The town of Port aux Basques – a quiet place of just over 4,000 people – saw the worst of it. The mayor declared a state of emergency and ushered people out of flooded streets and washed‑out roads. What followed was nothing short of a heart‑shattering spectacle:
- Entire homes were dragged to the ocean, leaving piles of rubble floating like lost toys.
- An apartment building vanished from the streets.
- Policemen are still hunting for a woman possibly swept out to sea.
“This is hands down the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen,” said Rene Roy, editor-in-chief of Wreckhouse Weekly. “There are streets that look like they’ve been ripped clean out.”
Safety First: The Evacuation Wrap‑Up
Local officials posted a calm video: “We’ve gone through a very difficult morning,” the mayor said on Facebook, “The evacuations are done, and we’ll get through this. I promise.”
Prime Minister’s Promise: Troops on the Scene
Justin Trudeau met with emergency teams on Saturday morning and promised the skeleton of the Canadian Armed Forces would aid the cleanup. He paused his trip to Japan, originally meant to attend the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral, and vowed to visit the storm‑touched areas as soon as possible.
- The federal government had already approved aid for Nova Scotia.
- More requests are expected to roll in.
Fiona’s Back‑story: A Caribbean Beggar
Nearly a week earlier, Fiona hammered Puerto Rico, causing eight deaths and cutting power for almost the entire population of 3.3 million. For the heat‑wave crowd, that was nasty enough. Now, she’s made landfall between Canso and Guysborough, Nova Scotia.
Record‑Breaking Pressure
Canadian Hurricane Centre meteorologist Ian Hubbard said Fiona may have recorded the lowest barometric pressure ever for a storm hitting land in Canada. “It did look like it had the potential to break the all‑time record, and it looks like it did,” he told Reuters.
Not Just a One‑Off Thunderbolt
While storms pass through the area relatively quickly, Fiona is expected to cover a huge swath. Scientists aren’t sure if climate change fed Fiona’s power, but the general consensus? These storms are getting nastier.
In short: Fiona raged, people endured, and the government is stepping in. The journey to rebuild will be long, but the folks of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia are holding their fingers together, hoping sunshine returns soon.
Hundred of thousand without power
Storm Fiona Hits Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island With a Power Outage Blowout
When Fiona came calling, it didn’t just shake the skies—it flooded the grid. Roughly 69 % of customers in Nova Scotia (about 360,720 people) found themselves in the dark, while 95 % of residents on Prince Edward Island (over 82,000 people) lost electricity altogether. Road closures followed suit, and even our trusty phones fell victim to the storm’s wrath, leaving some folks scrambling for Morse code.
Rogers to the Rescue (Sort Of)
Mobile and wifi provider Rogers Communications announced it was aware of the outages spurred by Fiona. Their crew is on the move, promising to “restore service as quickly as possible.” Whether that turns into a speedy turnaround or a leisurely stroll remains to be seen.
POTATO FORTUNES at Risk
Prince Edward Island is the national powerhouse for potato production—over a fifth of Canada’s supply hails from its farms. The high-tide of harvest season means farmers are bracing for potential crop damage. Hubbard warns that a sticky situation could leave sacks of spuds in a conundrum.
Deputy Premier Darlene Compton’s “Nerve‑Racking” Night
“We woke up to some very scary scenes: roads washed down, trees uprooted, mailbox drama.” Darlene Compton, the island’s Deputy Premier, recounted, calling the night “nerve‑wracking.” Indeed, the scene looked like a Monopoly board where everyone’s dice had gone rogue.
Halifax Board Parties in the Rough
In Halifax, the Shearwater Yacht Club turned into a maritime mishap. Eleven boats sank, and four others grounded, while Elaine Keene—owner of a boat that miraculously avoided damage—shared the tale of chaos on the waters.
Safe As Dusty
Queens and PEI officials collectively reported no injuries or fatalities. Quebec Premier Francois Legault echoed the same relief. The storm couldn’t hold until it reached the eastern provinces.
Wind’s Final Blow
By the early morning of the next day—about 5 a.m. in Halifax (2100 GMT)—Fiona had mellowed. It hovered over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, roughly 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Port aux Basques, delivering a sassy 70 mph (110 kph) wind buffet. The storm’s calmed grand finale would no doubt give meteorologists a high‑five.
