Severe weather cuts power to parts of Newfoundland, gale warning in effect

Severe weather in Newfoundland has caused some power outages, while the forecast calls for more high winds and waves off the coast.

Published reports indicate a state of emergency was declared in the Town of Badger, about 120 km west of Gander. The St. John’s Telegram quoted Badger Mayor Mike Patey as saying the town lost power about 1:30 Thursday morning.

As a result, residents had no running water as of Thursday, because water was being delivered directly by pumps, The Telegram reported.

Environment Canada was forecasting snow mixed with ice pellets, with temperatures near freezing, for Badger Friday night.

Newfoundland Power Inc. reported outages on its website at Badger, Badger Lake and Red Cliff due to sever weather. The utility also reported a power outage in Leading Tickles, about 140 kilometres northwest by road of Gander, due to overhead line damage.

Power outages were also reported in Grand Falls-Windsor, between Gander and Badger.

Several marine warnings were in effect Friday afternoon off the coast of Newfoundland, according to Environment Canada.

The northeast coast had a gale warning in effect, with winds from the north forecast at 40 knots (74 km/h) with gusts to 50 (92 km/h). Environment Canada is forecasting seas of six to eight metres, subsiding to four to six metres Friday afternoon and dropping to three to four metres late overnight.

Meanwhile, winter storm warnings ended for Bay of Exploits and Green Bay-White Bay areas, north of Grand Falls-Windsor.

In Twillingate, where winter storm and rain warnings have ended, Environment Canada is forecasting snow Friday night, except rain along the coast. Winds at Twillingate are forecast at 60 km/h gusting to 90.