Federal government issues storm surge warning for Quebec regions

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Meteorological Service of Canada – Quebec Region have issued a joint statement warning of potential sea breaking conditions and coastal flooding for certain areas of Quebec.

The storm surge warning, issued on Thursday morning, said that “higher than normal water levels with large waves are expected near the coast” as an intense low pressure system comes in from the Great Lakes. The alert said that strong winds and current high tidal range period could cause breaking sea conditions along the coast near the following areas on Friday at the times specified (Eastern daylight time):

• New Carlisle – Chandler (1 to 5 p.m.);

• Forillon National Park, Gaspé – Percé (1 to 5 p.m.);

• Sept-Îles – Port-Cartier (12:30 to 4:30 p.m.);

• Minganie (11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.); and

• Anticosti (12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

The warning said that coastal flooding is possible along the shoreline and advised people to stay away from the affected shorelines. “People close to the shoreline should stay on the lookout for worsening conditions,” the alert said, noting that storm surge warnings are issued when water levels pose a threat to coastal regions.

Environment Canada has also issued a tropical cyclone information statement for Newfoundland and Labrador. The statement said that post-tropical storm Kate (formerly Hurricane Kate) will have “no direct effects over land, but will give very strong winds and high waves to Southern Grand Banks” on Thursday. As of 9:30 a.m. Newfoundland time, the storm was about 640 kilometres south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour.

“The Southern Grand Banks are being directly affected by Kate’s remnant circulation, which remains very compact with winds just under hurricane-force,” the statement said. “Storm-force winds will likely be confined to the southern portions of the Grand Banks. Near hurricane-force winds along the extreme southern fringes of the banks on the north side of the storm is still a possibility today as it drifts northward.”

The alert said that waves of eight metres, and potentially up to 10 metres, are possible not far from the storm centre.