Storm Fiona washes houses into sea and knocks out electricity in two Canadian provinces | World News
Hurricane Fiona swept homes into the sea, ripped the roofs of others and knocked out power in two Canadian provinces as it made landfall before dawn on Saturday.
Fiona transformed from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm late Friday, but it still brought hurricane-like winds, downpours and large waves.
There is still no confirmation of any deaths or injuries caused in Canada, but Fiona has so far been blamed for at least 5 deaths – 2 in Puerto Rico, 2 in the Dominican Republic and 1 on the French island of Guadeloupe.
Canada’s prime minister said the storm had caused significant damage and recovery would require a “huge effort”.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau canceled a trip to Japan to attend the funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe and said the federal government would deploy the Canadian Armed Forces to assist.
Mr. Trudeau said: “We are witnessing devastating images from Port aux Basques. PEI (Prince Edward Island) has suffered unprecedented storm damage. Cape Breton is also being hit hard. “.
“Canadians are thinking of all those affected by Hurricane Fiona, which is wreaking havoc in the Atlantic provinces and eastern Quebec, particularly in the Magdalen Islands. Seeing their homes destroyed, people are very worried – we’ll be there for you.”
Waves hit the town of Channel-Port Aux Basques on the south coast of Newfoundland, where entire structures were washed out into the sea. Mayor Brian Button on Saturday said on social media that people were being evacuated to high ground when winds toppled power lines.
“I’m seeing houses in the middle of the ocean. I see wreckage floating everywhere. It’s completely destroyed. There is an apartment that has disappeared,” said René J Roy, a resident of Channel- Port Aux Basques and chief editor at Wreckhouse Press, said in a phone interview.
He estimates that between eight and 12 houses and structures have drifted into the sea.
A fallen tree lies in front of a Newfoundland electric truck
An A&W restaurant banner swings in the wind after Hurricane Fiona arrives in Stephenville, Newfoundland
The woman threw it into the sea when the house collapsed
Jolene Garland, a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador, said one woman was safe and “in good health” after “being thrown into the water when her home collapsed” in the Channel area. – Port Aux Basques.
Garland said that a person who may have been swept away was still reported missing and that high winds prevented an aerial search.
Hurricane Fiona makes landfall between Canso and Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Canada in a composite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the town of 4,000 is in a state of emergency as authorities deal with multiple electrical fires and flooding in the residential area.
In Sydney, Nova Scotia, the largest city in Cape Breton, about 20 people have taken shelter at the Center 200 sports and recreation center, said Christina Lamey, a spokeswoman for the region. displaced people in the province.
Arlene and Robert Grafilo fled to Center 200 with their children, ages 3 and 10, after a large tree fell on their two-story apartment.
A fallen tree lies on top of a crushed pickup truck
Arlene Grafilo said: “We were trapped and couldn’t open the doors and windows, so that’s when we decided to call 911. She said the firefighters eventually rescued them.
