Hurricane Bill causes “minimal damage”

Hurricane Bill appears to have caused “minimal damage” when it roared ashore on Aug. 23, says Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office.
When it entered Southwestern Maritime waters near dawn on Aug. 23, Hurricane Bill was a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 140 km-h, reports Environment Canada.
The storm passed within 50 km-h of Nova Scotia’s shoreline, bringing high winds, dumping rain and outing power for thousands in the area, says Environment Canada.
It made landfall near midnight at Point Rosie on the Burin peninsula of Newfoundland.
At this point, the strength of the storm was on the cusp between a strong tropical storm and a hurricane, Environment Canada continues.
“Heavy rain was reported in all four Atlantic provinces with the passage of Bill,” Environment Canada said. “Storm force wind gusts were reported in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland with high coastal waves and marginal flooding with storm surges reported in those same two provinces.”
Storm surge values ranged from 50 cm along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia to 70 cm along the Northhumberland-Miramichi coast of New Brunswick to 75 cm in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Environment Canada’s bulletin says.
Ramona Jennex, Nova Scotia’s minister of Emergency Management, commended Nova Scotians for taking precautions in advance of the storm.
“Early reports indicate that there has been minimal damage,” she says. “The public is reminded to use caution at coastal areas where swells may still be present, and to stay away from downed power lines.”