Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons declared a state of emergency late Saturday afternoon just before 4 p.m. Multiple roads are closed in the city, and the highway going in and out of Corner Brook is closed due to infrastructure damage.
Parsons says the city's emergency plan is in place as crews deal with damages and an overwhelmed municipal drainage system caused by heavy rainfall and melting snow.
"We are dealing with a very severe rainfall event," said Parsons. "For the time being, we ask residents to stay off the streets in affected areas."
Residents are advised to stay off roads and sidewalks, especially where rushing water is present, and to avoid standing near riverbanks because they may be unstable.
The city also has a precautionary boil-water advisory in effect for some areas. Residents can call the Water Information Line at 634-7711 to find out if their area is affected.
Details about Corner Brook road closures:
Corner Brook declares state of emergency because of flooding
Shortly before 6 p.m., Humber Arm South mayor Glenn Savard declared a state of emergency for the entire area from Halfway Point to Frenchman's Cove. The area is dealing with infrastructure damage and road closures.
Mudslides, washed out roads all across western N.L.
Heavy rain is wreaking havoc on the west coast and parts of central. Flooding, mudslides, and washed out roads are reported in several locations. Above average temperatures causing snow melt is exacerbating the problem.
Motorists are advised to stay off Route 430 from Deer Lake to Wiltondale due to flooding in multiple areas. The Trans-Canada Highway is also closed west of Hampden Junction and at George's Lake.
Traffic is moving again on the Trans-Canada Highway near Little Rapids. The bypass around the washed out section opened shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday, but drivers should expect minor delays. People are asked to only travel if necessary.
Tractor trailer drivers are advised to stay off roads in the Wreckhouse area due to high winds.
The road is also closed to Frenchman’s Cove. Resident Michael Durnford says he was driving there this morning and workers with the Department of Transportation and Works had the road shut down.
“Shoulders are washed away and a portion of the road is under water in one area,” he said.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, crews were still working to secure a culvert and municipal water line in the area.
Durnford also says there is a landslide just outside Benoit’s Cove.
Power outages
NL Hydro says power is out in the area of the landslide on the Northern Peninsula, impacting the following communities: Birchy Head, Glenburnie, Woody Pt., Winterhouse Brook, and Trout River.
Crews found downed trees on a line and are now working to remove the trees and restore power. Estimated restoration time is 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, NL Hydro is asking people to report and stay away from any broken poles or downed lines.
Wild weather
Environment Canada has wind and rainfall warnings in effect for the west and south coasts of the province. They are warning residents to stay away from washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts, and suggesting people move valuable items to higher levels. Heavy rain is expected to taper to showers and drizzle by this evening.
Environment Canada advised that plummeting temperatures in the evening could cause pooling water to ice over as flash freezes take hold in some areas. At 6 p.m., the Department of Transportation and Works advised extreme caution if driving on the Baie Verte Peninsula due to freezing rain and slippery conditions.
Marble Mountain has been closed since Friday. In a Facebook post, a ski resort spokesperson wrote that they lost a lot of snow. They are monitoring weather conditions and will begin making more snow when temperatures cool down, noting they will "attempt to rebuild our mountain in the coming days."
Around 8:30 Saturdayk night the RCMP in Rocky Harbour reported about four feet of standing water on Route 430 between Jack Ladder and Wiltondale. In the interest of safety, motorists were asked to refrain from travelling in this area of the Northern Peninsula Highway.
More details will be added as they become available.
