The latest Tropical Cyclone Information Statement issued last night showed the storm was southwest of Bermuda and moving north at about 19 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 213 km/h. Environment Canada is warning of possible severe impacts from the storm across much of Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador. By Friday night, Hurricane Fiona will be south of Nova Scotia and cross the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Saturday, reaching southeastern Labrador early Sunday. Fiona will bring hurricane force winds and significant rainfall – up to 200mm along the storm track – with a high chance of flooding. The Maritimes will see the heaviest rainfall, while Newfoundland’s most significant impact will be strong winds and storm surge. Western Newfoundland, southwestern Newfoundland and south-facing coastal areas will be particularly vulnerable. Today’s update from the Canadian Hurricane Center comes at 1:30 this afternoon. VOCM News will hold the press conference immediately following On Target. The City of Corner Brook is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Fiona. The latest hurricane track shows the large and powerful storm heading straight for the area Friday night and Saturday. The city describes several precautionary measures they have taken ahead of Fiona’s arrival, including cleaning priority catch basins and walls, equipping public works trucks with flood gear and sandbags and adjusting staffing levels to meet needs. They’re asking residents and business owners to check their catch basins, trim trees, secure outdoor items that could explode and make sure they’re prepared in the event of a power outage. During the storm, residents can call 637-1666 to report flooding or damaged city infrastructure. Area MHA Gerry Byrne says vigilance is the name of the game right now. He says crews need to be able to react quickly and need to get the message out to residents about how to stay safe during the storm. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is preparing for Hurricane Fiona with crews and contractors on standby. Hydro generates about 90 percent of the electricity used on the island and says it has about 60 percent extra capacity if needed. This amounts to about 400 to 500 megawatts. Crown Corporation is the retail supplier throughout Labrador as well as some remote parts of Newfoundland. Scott Crosbie, Vice President of Operations at NL Hydro, says they have gas turbines in Stephenville, Holyrood and just outside St. John’s in the Hardwoods, and could add thermal generation at Holyrood if needed. Gas turbines offer a very quick start-up, but generating heat at the Holyrood plant can take hours, even days.
