Icy Fury: Thousands Left Powerless by Newfoundland and Labrador’s Winter Onslaught

Enormous waves battered the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday, as a fierce winter storm left countless people without electricity, uprooted trees, damaged house siding, and sent small structures crashing into the sea.

Ian Gillies, reached by phone from Brigus South — a community situated about 60 kilometers south of St. John’s — stated he was astonished by the tumultuous waters and crashing waves.

“We’ve resided here for approximately 14 years, and this is definitely the highest surf we’ve experienced,” he expressed during an interview on Sunday.

“The waves surged over the breakwater. And an island that people usually walk out to, which I would estimate is 20 to 30 feet above sea level, also had waves breaking over it.”

Massive rocks are being washed ashore, obstructing some roadways.

“The snow plows that typically clear snow are now moving rocks off the streets,” Gillies remarked.

Rob Carroll, a meteorologist from Environment Canada based in Gander, N.L., mentioned that the “extremely strong” low-pressure system that swept through the area brought wind speeds ranging from 100 to 120 kilometers an hour in numerous locations, with peak gusts reaching 135 kilometers an hour on the Bonavista Peninsula.

In addition to the winds, the coastline encountered “some exceptionally tall waves, with powerful surf crashing against eastern and northeastern Newfoundland,” Carroll noted.

“We’ve witnessed small structures right along the shore that have either been swept into the sea or inundated, with some water flowing over roadways, moving many rocks across some paths along the coast… numerous fallen trees, and some shingles and siding torn from houses,” he added, indicating that the full extent of the devastation would be apparent in the next 24 hours.

Images and footage circulating on social media showcase flooding in the St. John’s region, wind damage to the front of a downtown bar, debris and rocks scattered onshore, and waves crashing against the coast.

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As of 5 p.m. local time on Sunday, over 8,000 customers of Newfoundland Power were left without electricity.

Environment Canada has issued weather alerts for the majority of Newfoundland and segments of Labrador, with unsettled conditions anticipated to persist through Monday morning.

Western Newfoundland was projected to receive approximately 10 centimeters of snow combined with winds reaching 80 kilometers an hour, posing risks of hazardous driving and diminished visibility on roads.

Likewise, low visibility was anticipated in the vicinity of Port aux Basques, where up to 15 centimeters of snow was predicted along with winds of 100 kilometers an hour.

In the St. John’s area, the weather agency forecasted rainfall between 20 to 40 millimeters, which could result in localized flooding in vulnerable regions.

In eastern and northeastern Newfoundland, Environment Canada cautioned of wind gusts ranging from 90 to 120 kilometers an hour, which the weather service warns could cause damage to roofing materials and windows.

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