Evacuations underway, road closures as Fiona continues to batter Quebec's Magdalen Islands
CBC
Post-tropical storm Fiona hit eastern Quebec early Saturday morning, forcing evacuations and road closures in the Magdalen Islands, which remains under a state of emergency.
Speaking at a news conference Saturday morning, the acting mayor of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Richard Leblanc, couldn't confirm the number of people who were forced from their homes. He said several evacuations took place overnight, including a significant one that continues Saturday morning.
"The night is finished, but the storm isn't over," Leblanc said.
Leblanc said high water levels were cause for concern and three shelters have been set up for displaced people. Roads are closed across the island, with trees, flooding and debris making travel treacherous, he said.
Fiona started as a hurricane and was declared a post-tropical storm around midnight Saturday, a few hours before making its landfall in Atlantic Canada.
Peter Kimbell, an emergency preparedness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the winds are still blowing "quite hard," but are expected to diminish as the day goes on for most areas.
One of two telecommunications cables that supplies the Magdalen Islands was damaged, though there is currently no impact on internet signal and electronic communications.
The Réseau intégré de communications électroniques des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (REICEIM) said it will repair the cable as soon as possible and backup measures are in place in case communications go down.
The municipality is expected to give another update at 12:30 p.m. local time (or 11:30 a.m. EST).
Roofs across the region were damaged by high winds, including of the Saint-Pierre-de-La Vernière church in the Étang-du-Nord neighbourhood.
Lyne Morissette, a marine animal researcher who was out on an expedition in the area, is stuck on the Magdalen Islands with her team while they wait out the storm.
She said they worked in shifts to protect the ship, currently tied in the wharf, and the equipment on board.
"The water was at the level of the wharf almost everywhere, and everyone is on their guard," she told Radio-Canada. "But it's beautiful to see the solidarity of the people — the fishermen, the crew."
On land, residents are also dealing with the effects of Fiona. Looking at her artisanal soap shop, La fille de la mer, Saturday, Ariane Arseneau found her business mostly under water.
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