More heavy rain expected for southwestern Newfoundland, says meteorologist
More water is on the way for the already storm-battered southwest coast of Newfoundland, even as two washed-out sections of the Trans-Canada Highway reopen and helicopters continue to transport people over remaining washouts.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Port aux Basques, Burgeo and Ramea, which could see another 60 to 80 millimetres in an area that last week saw record totals and a lot of damage.
Meteorologist Dale Foote of Environment Canada's Gander office, says there could be up to 100 millimetres over higher terrain over the next 36 hours.
"That rain is expected to begin this evening, or late this afternoon for Port aux Basques, and continue to probably around lunch time on Tuesday with heavy rain at times," he told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning on Monday.
"We've got wind warnings out for Port aux Basques, right on up through to Hawke's Bay, with winds picking up this evening gusting up to 130 [km/h] in the Wreckhouse area and up to 100 in areas north of that."
Foote said there's concern about potential flooding along the southwest coast. He said the area is at higher risk than what it would be normally given the rain that had fallen last week.
He said Environment Canada meteorologists have made emergency preparedness teams aware of the forecast.
While the rain is expected to taper off Tuesday afternoon, Foote said, flurries could be right behind it Tuesday night and into Wednesday for the southwest coast, west coast and part of the Northern Peninsula.
"The rain will stop, but it will be strong westerly winds and snow squalls at times," he said.
In a media release, Monday, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said it's monitoring the forecast.
Eastern Health says the COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic in Wabana is cancelled for Tuesday due to the weather and rescheduled to a later date.
Slow going, but looking up
Crews are slowly but surely rebuilding roads, with the Trans-Canada Highway north of Little Paradise Park near St. Andrews expected to reopen Monday afternoon, according to the department's media release.
Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in some areas as work continues to complete repairs, the department said. Elsewhere, the department said repairs are going as planned near the weigh scales outside Port aux Basques. As of Monday morning, seven of nine sections of large diameter culverts had been installed and backfilling was underway, the department said.
But some residents of the southwest coast couldn't wait for repairs to finish.
Melton Keeping of Burnt Islands — about 30 kilometres east of Port aux Basques and accessible only by Route 470 —works aboard vessels sailing the Great Lakes, and had to catch a flight out of Deer Lake on Monday.
Keeping got a ride as far as the first barricade near Port aux Basques on Sunday morning, where a section of road was washed out by last week's storm. With luggage in hand, he crossed to the other side of the uncompleted rebuild on foot.
"The biggest part of it is all filled in now," he said. "It's holding its own. They know what they're doing. They've got good guys working at it."
Keeping hitched a ride and crossed another section of washout to land in North Branch. Another stroll followed by another hitched ride put him in Stephenville, where he and another traveller waited for a lift to Corner Brook.
Keeping said people in Port aux Basques are frustrated by the road closures and rerouted ferry services. But things are looking to be getting back to normal soon, according to Marine Atlantic.
In a news release, the company said it's beginning plans to return to normal operations in Port aux Basques.
To prevent congestion on the southwest coast, they are implementing a waiting list for commercial vehicles preparing to travel on the route between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, N.S.
Trucks carrying priority items will likely move quicker, said the release.
Commercial trucks checked in at the Marine Atlantic facility in Argentia by 5 p.m. on Tuesday will have to choose between travelling via Argentia or Port aux Basques.
The Argentia service will remain in place until all checked-in units are transported.
Marine Atlantic will provide an update should the incoming rain affect plans.
For passengers who could wait, the Canadian Armed Forces have set up a command centre in Stephenville with two helicopters servicing a route for Port aux Basques.
Capt. Esteban Simard told CBC two successful trips had been made as of Monday morning, but that could slow down if temperatures drop below freezing, which would keep the helicopters grounded.
Krista Loveless and her dog Hunter made use of the military's help on Monday by jumping aboard a flight to Port aux Basques.
Loveless said she had been out of town for about 10 days, and is eager to get home.
"I'm quite anxious to get back to see if everything is all right," she said.
Delayed deliveries
Meanwhile, some business owners north of the affected stretch of road are feeling the stress of a delayed supply chain as well.
James Gallant, owner of Killick Cafe in Stephenville, saw one of his shipments cancelled and another delayed.
"I think there's going to be some unforeseen difficulties that may arise," he said.
"If they don't show up one day, and I can't find a suitable cost effective substitute, it hurts your bottom line."
Gallant also owns a gift shop, and heading into the holiday season he's worried his shipments may come too late.
"We have things sitting in North Sydney that cannot reach us. Our season is short now, we're a month away," he said.
"We're good for right now, but in the next week or two if things don't arrive we're going to have empty spots on our shelves. And Christmas items don't sell in January."
