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Newfoundland & Labrador > News > Local

Snowmageddon 2020: Blizzard slams Eastern Newfoundland

SaltWire Network meteorologist Cindy Day warns of extreme snowfall and storm surge and another system Sunday into Monday

SaltWire Network | Posted: Jan. 16, 2020, 1:35 p.m. | Updated: Jan. 17, 2020, 5:55 p.m. | 38 Min Read

St. John's declares state of emergency amidst blizzard

  • The City of Mount Pearl, Paradise, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, Torbay have also declared a state of emergency. All businesses are ordered to close immediately, and all vehicles are prohibited from using City streets, with the exception of emergency vehicles and City snow clearing vehicles until it has been lifted.

Weather

Blizzard on the way, ‘don’t venture out if you don’t have to,’ says Cindy Day

UPDATED! Cindy Day's SaltWire Network Forecast

Schools

Newfoundland and Labrador English School District status report

  • All schools on the Avalon Peninsula and most schools in Eastern NL are closed for the day.
  • The majority of the schools in eastern NL are closed for the day.
  • Certain western region schools will have delayed openings.
  • District headquarters in St. John's is also closed Friday morning, with a further announcement in the a.m.
  • Certain schools in 

Memorial University

  • All Memorial University campuses in St. John’s will remain closed until the City of St. John's state of emergency is lifted.

College of the North Atlantic

  • Clarenville, Carbonear, Seal Cove, Ridge Road, Prince Philip DRive (Child Care Centre, ATC Centre & Topsail Rd offices), Bonavista , Burin & Placentia campuses will be will be closed Friday.

Other

  • Lakecrest and St. Bon's private schools in St. John's will be closed for the morning.
  • Keyin College is closed Friday.
  • Academy Canada Harding Road and Kenmount Road campuses are closed Friday.

Road travel

N.L. Highway Driving Conditions

City of St. John's Live Plow Tracker

City of Mount Pearl Plow Tracker

  • All City of Mount Pearl buildings and facilities will be closed Friday.

Town of Paradise Live Plow Tracker

  • All Town of Paradise facilities will be closed on Friday and Saturday, including the Town Hall and Paradise Double Ice Complex, and all programs are cancelled for Friday and Saturday. Updates on closures and cancellations will be posted to the town website (paradise.ca/closures) and town social media pages. Also in Paradise, garbage collection for Area 4A&B and recycling collection for Area 4B is cancelled for Friday. Collection for Area 4 will now take place on Monday.

Town of Conception Bay South Live Plow Tracker

Provincial Live Plow Tracker

Air travel

St. John's International Airport

  • Air Canada has announced that change fees are waived for travelers to rebook. 

Gander International Airport

Deer Lake Regional Airport 

Goose Bay Airport

Marine travel

Intra-provincial Ferries

Marine Atlantic Travel Advisory

Marine Atlantic is advising its customers that they anticipate potential impacts to sailings from Friday, Jan. 17 at 11:45 a.m. through to Monday, Jan. 20 at 11:45 a.m. If you would like to make alternate travel arrangements, contact their toll-free reservation line at 1-800-341-7981.

Environment Canada Marine Forecast

Power outages

Newfoundland Power Outage Centre

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Outage Map

Closures, cancellations, delayed openings

Northeast Avalon

  • The Telegram offices on Austin St. in St. John's are closed for the day. Please check back regularly for storm watch updates.
  • St. John’s Provincial Court will be closed on Friday. All matters scheduled for that day will be called at the same time on Monday, Jan. 20.
  • Avalon Employment will be closed on Friday.
  • Buckmaster Circle Community Centre is closed Friday.
  • The St. John’s office of WorkplaceNL will be closed for the day.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association is closed Friday.
  • Municipal NL is closed Friday.
  • Canada Post: Due to the current weather conditions, a Red service alert has been issued for Eastern Newfoundland, and a Yellow service alert has been issued for Central Newfoundland. A Red service alert means that we are suspending delivery for the day and not sending our delivery agents out, as the weather conditions have made it unsafe. A Yellow service alert means we are going to do our best to deliver, but there may be delays.
  • Canadian Red Cross offices in St. John's is closed today due to the severe storm. 
  • Office of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities Newfoundland and Labrador is closed Friday.
  • NLC Head Office, Rock Spirits, Distribution Centre and Liquor Stores in St. John's, Mt. Pearl, Paradise and C.B.S. are closed for the day. Stay tuned for updates on other locations throughout the day.
  • All NL Public Library branches in St. John's abd eastern NL will be closed today. If a power outage occurs, access to the eLibrary may be interrupted.
  • The Avalon Mall will be closed all day Friday.
  • All provincial government offices in the St. John’s metro area will be closed Friday.
  • Mallard Cottage and Waterwest Kitchen and Meats restaurants closed Friday.
  • Anyone with tickets for Friday night’s performance of The Father at the LSPU Hall is encouraged to call the box office at 753-4531 to exchange their ticket for another performance.
  • The St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre is rescheduling the Revue performance on Friday, Jan. 17 to Monday, Jan. 20. This is an added show. All Friday night ticket holders have been moved to Monday at 8 p.m. Patrons who have already picked up tickets will have those honored at the door for the new date (including print at home/e-tickets). If ticket holders are unable to make the rescheduled performance, the box office can move tickets to any other date where seats are available: Jan. 16 (Thursday), Jan. 18 (Saturday), or Jan. 19 (Sunday), or issue a refund. The box office is standing by to help and can be reached at 729-3900.
  • All RBC locations in the St. John'a area are closed Friday.
  • All Association for New Canadians offices in St. John's are closed for the day. Classes at the ESL Training Centre are cancelled.
  • Blue Cross-Medavie in St. John's is closed for the day.
  • DFO and Canadian Coast Guard offices are closed Friday.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union locations in St John's, Mount Pearl, C.B.S. are closed today.
  • Service Canada offices in St. John's closed for the day.
  • The Rooms is closed Friday.
  • All CIBC branches St. John's region are closed for the day.
  • Cal LeGrow Insurance & Financial Group is closed all day Friday.
  • Canadian Blood Services donor clinic on Wicklow Street is closed for the day.
  • Canadian Tire on Hebron Way is closed for the day.
  • Ches Penney YMCA is closed Friday.
  • HSBC Bank in St. John's is closed all day Friday.
  • All St. John's area Kent locations are closed for the day.
  • All Marshalls and Winners locations in the St. John's region are closed Friday.
  • N.L. Legal Aid offices in St. John's are closed today.
  • The NL Craft Council is closed Friday.
  • Scotiabank branches in St. John's region are closed for the day.
  • Sobeys stores in metro region are closed all day.

Avalon Peninsula

  • Lawton's Drug Store locations on the Avalon are closed for the day.
  • All TD Bank branches on the Avalon are closed for the day.
  • Carbonear Public Library
  • Clarenville provincial government offices are closed for the morning with an update at 11 a.m.
  • MUNN Insurance in St. John's and Bay Roberts are closed today.
  • NLC Stores in Bay Roberts and Placentia are closed for the day.
  • Scotiabank branches in Bay Roberts, Carbonear and Whitbourne are closed for the day.

Off the Avalon

  • Gander Law Court closed for the day.
  • Provincial court in Grand Falls-Windsor is closed for the day.
  • Supreme court in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor are both closed for the day.
  • Gander Vet Clinic closed for the day.
  • N.L. Legal Aid offices in Gander are closed today.
  • NLC Store in Gander is closed for the day.
  • Canadian Red Cross offices in Grand Falls-Windsor is closed Friday.

Around the web

Even the NL Liquor Corporation is in on the storm fun... 

Getting around St. John's in a taxi could be a challenge Friday. Jiffy Cabs issued this notice on Thursday...

Snow days are great for the kids and some employees, but they can be real tough on small business...

Weather like this can drive you to drink...

Some organizations recognize the severity of today's blizzard and have already decided to cancel events planned for Saturday

Check out the view from Memorial University's St. John's campus...

It's getting pretty tangly down on the southern shore, too...

This poor fella looks like he has PTSD from after coming in from the storm

Ever wonder what happens to a beehive during a storm like this? Local beekeeper Philip Cairns shows us... 

Cheers!

Downtown St. John's virtually deserted...

Cabin fever already, b'ys?

Don't forget to check in on your loved ones...

Even the Prime Minister is worried about today's blizzard...

It's a wonder we don't get more tourists here in the winter...

Safety

The City of St. John’s recommends the following safety tips:

  • Remain off the road if possible, to facilitate snow clearing operations
  • Follow local weather forecasts and watch for warnings and advisories
  • Emergencies that require assistance from fire, police or ambulance should be directed to 911
  • Prepare and maintain an emergency kit — be ready to cope on your own for at least 72 hours
  • Ensure you have any medications that are crucial
  • Ensure you have a battery-operated portable radio
  • Use flashlights, rather than candles and have a good supply of batteries; if you use candles don’t leave them unattended
  • Should you notice downed power lines in your area, do not touch or attempt to move them, call Newfoundland Power immediately at 1-800-474-5711

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department offers the following safety tips in the event of a power outage:

  • Electrically connected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms will not work when the power is out unless they have battery back-ups. Make sure your home has battery operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. 

  • Everyone should know how to get out immediately if there is a fire. Plan and practice your escape plan before emergencies happen. 

  • Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns or glow sticks instead of candles. Keep a fresh supply of batteries on hand. If using candles, place them in a non-combustible holder on a flat surface at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and out of the reach of pets and children. 

  • Propane and charcoal barbecues are for outdoor use only. Do not bring them inside. 

  • Purchase generators with recognized approved labels. Make sure the unit has proper 
connection receptacles and circuit breakers. 

  • Portable generators should only be used outdoors and carefully located to ensure that 
exhaust fumes do not enter the home. Allow the generator to cool before refueling. Refuel the generator outside, following manufacturer’s instructions. Store fuel for the generator in approved containers outside the home. 

  • Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly while the heater is in use. Before refueling, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool and take the heater outside to refuel. 

  • Make sure electric stove elements and small appliances are OFF or unplugged to prevent fires from occurring when the electricity is restored. 

  • Cordless phones will not work when the power is out, so it is recommended to have at least one phone that does not require electricity to operate. 

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